Henry Kokofu, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has issued a grave warning regarding a potential embargo on Ghana’s cocoa bean exports to the global market.
This caution arises from the increasing activities of illegal miners, which pose a significant threat to the quality and safety of Ghana’s cocoa production.
Mr. Kokofu, alongside fellow environmental analysts, expressed deep concern over the alarming pollution levels in the country, attributing much of it to human activities that pose significant environmental risks.
During a public lecture held at the Kumasi Technical University, Mr. Kokofu emphasized the urgent need to address these pressing issues.
He underscored the critical role of the cocoa industry as a cornerstone of Ghana’s economy but highlighted the severe strain it faces due to illegal mining activities.
“It is important to note that the cocoa industry which has been the backbone of our economy is in dire straits because of illegal mining. Apart from depriving the farmlands and making it unavailable for farming, cocoa is being contaminated and very soon, the world market will come after us and cite contamination in our cocoa beans and that will be a very bad story for us as a people.”
STORY BY ; PORTIA AKU SHIKA GAFAH
