DESIST FROM UNLAWFUL CUTTING DOWN OF COCOA TREES - PROF. MICHAEL KWATENG

The head of Cocoa Protection Unit at Ghana Cocoa Board, Prof. Michael Kwateng has cautioned cocoa farmers and the general public about the unlawful cutting down of cocoa trees after the pronouncement of the 2025/26 producer price of cocoa beans, which was perked at GHC 51,660 per tonne and 3,228.75 per 64kg bag.

Many farmers have accused the Government of Ghana and COCOBOD of deceiving them. After they promised to give them GHC 6,000 for 64 kg bag. Due to this some people are seen in  videos on social media cutting down cocoa trees, claiming to be their own farms, have decided to cut down or destroy those farms.

Speaking on Ghana's Nationwide Weekly Cocoa Tv Program  called My Cocoa Life TV , The head of Cocoa Protection Unit at Ghana Cocoa Board, Prof. Michael Kwateng has urged all cocoa farmers to be calmed and stop the cutting down of the trees, as better days are yet to come.

He explained that the current weakness of the dollar against the cedi has eroded the significant value of the producer price in cedi terms to the farmer and assured them that COCOBOD will continue to support them and implement the best interventions and programmes to enhance production and promote the standard of living of the farmers.

He cautioned those who are destroying cocoa farms and circulating on the social media to stop immediately because his office has began investigations to arrest individuals found capable. He said the Economic Plants Protection Act frowns upon cutting down of cocoa trees without seeking written permission from authorities. He said COCOBOD is amending the law and incorporates it in the COCOBOD Act to make it punitive enough to deter people from destroying cocoa farms.

He humbly appealed to the farmers to support COCOBOD in these trial times in order to boost production. He said farmers should be happy about other interventions like the tertiary education scholarship announced by the government and take advantage to educate their wards.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/5a233d_b8c637739b0143e1b7b07184ea3e90b4/360p/mp4/file.mp4