The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has made a passionate appeal to collectively safeguard the integrity of the cocoa industry by uniting to fight against the illegal mining menace which is affecting the cocoa industry.
In a statement released by the Public Affairs Department, COCOBOD appealed for a unified front to fight against illegal mining and cocoa smuggling. The statement said illegal mining and cocoa smuggling threat the sector’s sustainability.
“Illegal mining continues to degrade farmlands, compromising the very foundation of cocoa farming, while cocoa smuggling undermines the financial returns and long-term viability of the industry by depriving farmers and the nation of rightful earnings from substantial investments in cocoa production.”
COCOBOD is dedicated to ensuring a long- term resilience and growth of the cocoa sector.
COCOBOD strongly reiterates its commitment to working with both local and international stakeholders to maintain Ghana’s leadership position in the global cocoa market.
With the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) coming into effect on 1st January 2025, COCOBOD assures that extensive preparations are underway to ensure full compliance with the new regulation.
“We urge industry participants to collaborate with us in this regard, as Ghana positions itself to meet the stringent sustainability and traceability standards outlined by the EUDR”, the statement reads.