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.
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