Cocoa farmers demand urgent action to stop destruction of farms

The Concerned Cocoa Farmers Association of Ghana has appealed to the government and relevant state agencies to urgently intervene to protect cocoa farms across the country from continued destruction.

The association said the ongoing destruction of cocoa farms is threatening the livelihoods of farmers and their families while also posing a serious risk to Ghana’s national economic interests.

In a statement issued and signed by the National President of the Concerned Cocoa Farmers Association of Ghana, Farmer General Nana Oboadie Boateng Bonsu II, on Monday, September 14, 2026, the association stressed the importance of cocoa to Ghana’s economy.

“Cocoa remains the backbone of Ghana’s economy and the livelihood of millions of families.”

The association expressed concern that despite several petitions, public appeals and engagements with relevant authorities, little decisive action had been taken to bring the destruction of cocoa farms to an end.

“The continued destruction of our farms is causing severe loss of livelihood and poses a threat to our national interest.”

“We therefore wish to state as follows,” the statement added.

The association renewed its appeal to the government, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the security agencies to take immediate steps to safeguard cocoa farms nationwide.

It also urged cocoa farmers to remain law-abiding while staying alert and taking reasonable measures to protect their farms.

The association reminded farmers that Ghanaian law provides citizens with the right to lawfully protect their property. It encouraged farmers to adopt peaceful and lawful measures, including forming community watch groups, recording incidents of destruction with evidence and reporting cases of trespass or destruction promptly to the police, traditional authorities and COCOBOD.

“We remain committed to dialogue and peaceful engagement and have no intention of taking the law into our own hands.”

Nana Oboadie Boateng Bonsu II expressed hope that the concerns raised by the association would receive the urgent attention of the government and other relevant authorities to prevent further destruction of cocoa farms.

By: Paulina Armah/Radio1.