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The Ghana COCOBOD Anti-illegal Mining Taskforce has conducted a successful operation leading to the arrest of two leaders of a group of illegal miners at Atobrakrom in the Antoa district of the Ashanti Region over the weekend.
During the operations, excavators and other mining equipment were also confiscated by the taskforce.
The operation of the taskforce became necessary when the taskforce received an Intel that there was an illegal mining ongoing in Atobrakrom. Acting on the tip-off that was set to destroy cocoa farms in the area, the taskforce swiftly intervened to apprehend the perpetrators.
Prof. Michael Kwateng, Head of the Anti-illegal Mining Desk at COCOBOD, emphasized the importance of protecting cocoa farms and preventing illegal mining activities.
He stated that COCOBOD established a dedicated taskforce to combat illegal mining and enforce the Economic Plants Protection Act of 1979, with a focus on prosecuting offenders.
Prof. Kwateng highlighted that the cutting down of cocoa trees without permission is a punishable offense under the law. Cocoa trees are vital economic assets for Ghana, belonging to the nation as a whole and not to any individual, regardless of their societal status. Preserving cocoa farms is crucial for the country’s economic prosperity, and collective efforts are essential to ensure their survival.
He added that, the Ghana COCOBOD Anti-illegal Mining Taskforce remains committed to safeguarding cocoa farms and combating illegal mining activities to protect Ghana’s cocoa plantations.
