Apinto Gyaasehene Urges Gold Fields to Reclaim Degraded Lands for Cocoa Farming

He believes this would offer a sustainable livelihood alternative and help mitigate the devastating environmental impact of illegal mining activities.

His appeal comes in the wake of the launch of the Cocoa Farmers’ Support Programme by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation in Tarkwa. The programme aims to empower local cocoa farmers, restore degraded lands, and support long-term economic growth in communities affected by mining.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Nana Dr. Adarkwa Bediako III emphasized the urgent need to restore cocoa farms destroyed by illegal mining. “With cocoa prices soaring on the international market, there is an opportunity for our farmers to thrive. However, poor soil health and degraded lands continue to limit their potential,” he noted. “We need targeted land rehabilitation and sustained support if we are to build a resilient post-mining economy.”

The Cocoa Farmers’ Support Programme was first rolled out in Damang in 2018 and has since recorded positive results. Its expansion to Tarkwa is expected to replicate similar successes and bring relief to farming communities struggling with the after-effects of mining-related land degradation.

The General Manager of Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine, Mrs Catherine Kuupol Kuutor, acknowledged that cocoa farming has long been integral to the local economy, but its growth has been stifled. “This initiative is part of our long-term sustainability strategy. We believe that with the right support, cocoa farming can flourish again in this region,” she stated.

The programme, implemented through the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation, is set to benefit at least 300 farmers over five years. Beneficiaries will receive COCOBOD-approved fertilizers, pesticides, and training in best agricultural practices, including agroforestry techniques that promote sustainable cocoa cultivation and environmental protection.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Ato Boateng, commended the Foundation for the initiative, which he said complements the board’s renewed focus on revitalizing the cocoa sector. “We are pleased with this collaboration. It aligns perfectly with COCOBOD’s goals of restoring degraded cocoa lands and improving the livelihoods of farmers,” he said.

The Cocoa Farmers’ Support Programme forms part of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation’s broader commitment to sustainable development in its host communities. With increasing concerns about the environmental and social costs of illegal mining, the initiative offers a beacon of hope for communities seeking to transition into more sustainable and profitable livelihoods.

As Nana Dr. Adarkwa Bediako III concluded, “Our lands must not remain barren after the gold is gone. Cocoa farming offers us a future—one that can be green, profitable, and lasting.”

Source: Nana Esi Brew Monney

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