Ghana's Cocoa: EU Insists There Will Be No Ban On Cash Crop Despite Effects Of Illegal Mining

• The European Union has denied widespread media reports that Ghana's cocoa will be banned by its members
• The EU Ambassador to Ghana insists those claims are erroneous as EU members want more of Ghana's cocoa which she says is among the best in the world
• The fears of the future of Ghana's cocoa industry appear to have been allayed by the statement from the European Union

The fears of the nation, which had cocoa listed as one of its major sources of income, have been allayed by the European Union.

Ghana's cocoa industry was widely believed to have been under threat after illegal miners launched an onslaught on the environment and succeeded in polluting water bodies and the environments close to these cocoa trees.

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But despite those ravaging effects of the menace, the EU says Ghana's cocoa won't be banned by its members.

Irchad Razaarly, the EU Ambassador to Ghana, who made this known in a speech read on his behalf by a Director at the EU Office in Ghana, Celine Madsen Prud'homme, said Europe instead wants more of Ghana's cocoa.

She also added that cocoa from Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire had been ranked as amongst the best in the world as they meet requirements from the EU.

"There is no ban on Ghana's cocoa. On the contrary, we want more of Ghana's cocoa, and we are in support of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire amongst all of the producers who meet these requirements", she added.

This puts to rest speculations that Europe was tightening its laws to make Ghanaian cocoa and coffee not exportable to many international markets.

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That earlier report was attributed to the destruction of cocoa lands by illegal miners in the country who use heavy metals, which poisoned cocoa beans in some cases.

Cocoa farms and other lands for food crops have been excavated for the illegal mining business, coupled with the pollution of the sources of irrigation.

Farmers are thus forced to trek long hours on end to get clean water for irrigation of the cocoa farms. The unlucky ones who are unable to make the long journey spend their meagre resources on buying sachet water to mix their fertilisers to spray the cocoa trees.

Cocoa Farmer Justifies Cutting Trees For Galamsey In Video: “I Have Plenty Money In My Pocket”

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that a cocoa farmer had justified why he had cut down all his cocoa trees and allowed illegal mining to continue in its place.

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The video of the man, which has since gone viral, has prompted concerns for Ghana's centuries cocoa industry.

In a short video posted on Tiktok by @annanperryarhin, the cocoa farmer, a middle-aged man is looking into the camera and citing financial reasons to justify his decision to ditch farming for mining.

Source: YEN.com.gh