Environmentalist and farmer Nana Dwomoh Sarpong has raised concerns about the impact of mining activities on Ghana's cocoa farms and agricultural lands. He warned that unless urgent measures are introduced, Ghana risks losing significant portions of its cocoa farms and agricultural lands. Mr. Sarpong, President of Friends of Rivers and Waterbodies, emphasized the need for responsible mining practices, stronger environmental protection, and adequate compensation for affected farmers.
Mr. Sarpong highlighted the growing competition between mining and agriculture, which poses a serious threat to cocoa production, rural livelihoods, and the country's agricultural future. He noted that Ghana could exploit its mineral resources without sacrificing agriculture, but this required careful management. The environmentalist painted a worrying picture of farming communities where mining activities are increasingly taking over lands previously used for cocoa cultivation and other agricultural activities.
The destruction of farms has far-reaching consequences for farming families, particularly children whose education depends largely on their parents' agricultural income. Mr. Sarpong reported that children of farmers are dropping out of school because their parents' farms and farmlands have been taken over by miners. According to the Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), approximately 30,000 hectares of cocoa farms have been destroyed by illegal mining and other human activities as of December 2024, while another 50,000 hectares are reportedly at risk.
Mr. Sarpong suggested that policymakers should reconsider the country's approach to mining, particularly surface mining, which poses significant risks to agricultural lands and waterbodies. He recommended that underground mining be considered where feasible to minimize the destruction of farmlands. Where surface mining is necessary, he urged operators to undertake gold washing in designated ponds and treat wastewater before discharge to prevent further environmental pollution.
The environmentalist called for a dedicated compensation mechanism to identify genuine farmers affected by mining, assess their losses, and ensure they receive adequate and timely support. He proposed that compensation go beyond one-off cash payments to include sustainable interventions that protect affected households from long-term economic hardship. Mr. Sarpong also suggested educational scholarships for children from farming families whose livelihoods have been destroyed by mining activities.
Mr. Sarpong emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of land reclamation requirements, insisting that mining companies must restore degraded lands to conditions suitable for agricultural production. He argued that paying farmers compensation without restoring destroyed lands would not provide a sustainable solution. Properly reclaimed lands should be returned to their original owners to enable them to resume farming and secure their livelihoods.
Mr. Sarpong questioned the distribution of mining's economic benefits, arguing that farmers and vulnerable rural communities often bear the environmental and economic costs of mining without enjoying corresponding benefits. He maintained that Ghana must adopt a balanced natural resource management approach that allows the country to benefit from its mineral wealth without sacrificing agriculture and environmental sustainability.
Key points
- Environmentalist Nana Dwomoh Sarpong warns of the threat of mining activities to Ghana's cocoa farms and agricultural lands.
- Approximately 30,000 hectares of cocoa farms have been destroyed by illegal mining and other human activities as of December 2024.
- Mr. Sarpong calls for a dedicated compensation fund for farmers, stricter enforcement of land reclamation requirements, and educational scholarships for affected children.
