Illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, has become a major threat to cocoa farming in Ghana. The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has repeatedly warned cocoa farmers of the dangers of galamsey, but the menace continues to undermine cocoa production and endanger the livelihoods of cocoa farmers. In a recent statement, the Deputy Director of Public Affairs of COCOBOD, Fiifi Boafo, warned cocoa farmers that galamsey not only destroys cocoa farms but also robs them of their future pensions.

 

The introduction of the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme (CFPS) is intended to safeguard the future of cocoa farmers and provide them with a reasonable retirement income [1]. The Scheme, which operates under the National Pensions Act 2008, is designed to enable farmers' pensions that start once they retire from farming. However, the success of the Scheme depends on the sustainability of cocoa production, which is threatened by galamsey.

 

Galamsey destroys cocoa farms and degrades the soil, making it difficult for farmers to grow cocoa and earn a decent income. As a result, many cocoa farmers are forced to abandon their farms and seek other sources of income, leaving them without a retirement plan. The Deputy Director of Public Affairs of COCOBOD, Fiifi Boafo, has urged cocoa farmers to resist the temptation of galamsey and protect their future pensions. He emphasized that the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme is a lifeline for cocoa farmers and urged them to enroll in the Scheme as soon as possible.

 

To ensure adequate promotion of the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme, a nine-member committee chaired by Fiifi Boafo has been set up. The committee is tasked with ensuring that the views of cocoa farmers are included in the operations of the Scheme. The interest of cocoa farmers is represented on the Board of Trustees to ensure that the Scheme is aligned with the needs of cocoa farmers [3]. The Scheme's trustees have launched a sensitization campaign aimed at encouraging cocoa farmers to enroll in the Scheme. As part of the campaign, journalists from media outlets in the Western Region of Ghana have been trained to help enroll cocoa farmers onto the Scheme.

 

Enrollment in the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme will begin in the Western Region between March and April 2023, before scaling up to cover farmers across all cocoa production districts. The Scheme will provide a lifeline for cocoa farmers, enabling them to retire with dignity and financial security. However, the success of the Scheme depends on the sustainability of cocoa production, which is threatened by galamsey. Cocoa farmers must take action to protect their farms and their future pensions.

 

In conclusion, galamsey is a serious threat to cocoa farming in Ghana, and it robs cocoa farmers of their future pensions. The Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme is a lifeline for cocoa farmers, but its success depends on the sustainability of cocoa production. Cocoa farmers must resist the temptation of galamsey and take action to protect their farms and their future pensions. The Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme is a step in the right direction, and cocoa farmers must embrace it to secure their retirement.