The Chiefs and people of Akwapim Mampong in the Akwapim South District of the Eastern Region are threatening to cut down cocoa trees in the town and go into illegal mining, popularly known as Galamsey.
The cocoa trees to be destroyed, Adukrohene of Akwapim Mampong, Nana Ayeh Kofi Kwaasi said include those in the preserved Tetteh Quarshie farms and the ones planted in the Jubilee fields.
“We would cut down all the cocoa trees in Mampong, all cocoa farms would be destroyed including the ones that are in the Jubilee Fields and the ones planted by Tetteh Quarshie…,” the Chief threatened on Adom FM’s Morning Show, ‘Dwaso Nsem’ Friday.
According to the angry chiefs who claim they have already sharpened their machetes for the exercise which would happen on Thursday, 11th May, 2017, they would incite the youth of the town to go into galamsey.
“Yes, we would use out land for galamsey because we have gold and our chiefs and the youth have all agreed for that to happen…galamsey has instant results and that is what we would go into because we would all have some gold for development…,” the Chief threatened further.
He said this unfortunate action would occur because the chiefs of Mampong do not see the benefit of still engaging in the growing of cocoa.
“Since 1859 when Tetteh Quarshie brought cocoa to Mampong and Ghana, the town can boast of only the Tetteh Quarshie Hospital and the road that leads to the town, we have no other benefit and have been neglected for too long, so we are cutting down our trees…,” he said.
Reacting to the threats of the Chiefs, the Board Chairman of COCOBOD, Hackman Owusu-Agyemang urged the chiefs to exercise restraint and give him the institution some time to react to their complaints.
The CEO of the COCOBOD, Joseph Boahen Aidoo, he said was currently on a visit to the Ivory Coast with the President, hence when he returns, they would visit the town.
“A week ago, we were at International Cocoa Organisation Conference in Abidjan, the CEO of COCOBOD is also on a visit to Ivory Coast with President Akufo-Addo to work on how to sustain the price of cocoa in these countries.
“Tell the chief that they should exercise some restraint because when the CEO returns, we would visit the place…you won’t gain anything from cutting down trees…,” he urged.
Responding to the appeal from the COCOBOD Chair, the chief said they would meet to consider the appeal.