Illegal miners have encroached on cashew production areas in the Wenchi Municipality and Banda District, causing extensive damage to farmlands, water bodies, and other agricultural lands. Communities such as Branam, Amponsakrom, and Atuna in Wenchi, alongside Bandaboase, Surubokrom, Nipanikrom, and ‘Operator’ in Banda, are among those hardest hit by these unregulated activities.
The Bono Region, a major cashew-producing area in Ghana, faces additional challenges, including perennial bush-burning, limited access to financing for farm maintenance, rising costs of inputs and labor, and price fluctuations. However, illegal mining has emerged as the most pressing issue, endangering the future of cashew production in the region.
Stakeholders Raise Concerns
Speaking to the media, Mr. Joseph Alexander Bonsu, a representative of cashew farmers on the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) board, expressed deep concern over the extensive destruction of cashew farms in affected communities over the past year.
“All stakeholders must unite to find a lasting solution,” he urged.
Mr. Bonsu also pointed to a disturbing trend where young people in these areas are abandoning cashew farming to engage in illegal mining.
“This shift poses a significant threat to sustainable cashew production. I urge the government and local chiefs to collaborate in eradicating illegal mining activities to protect both the cashew industry and the environment,” he noted.
Call for Urgent Action
Raphael Godlove Ahenu, National Coordinator of Cashew Watch Ghana, called for immediate intervention.
“The impact of galamsey on the cashew sector is getting alarming and demands urgent attention to protect the industry and sustain its contribution to our nation’s economic growth,” he said.
He further urged the government and stakeholders to take decisive measures against illegal mining.
“We need strict enforcement of mining regulations and enhanced support for sustainable agricultural practices. Safeguarding the cashew sector is essential not only for economic stability but also for environmental sustainability and the well-being of communities that rely on cashew farming,” he added.
Economic Implications
In 2023, cashew exports generated approximately $300 million, making it one of Ghana’s leading non-traditional export commodities. Ghana’s 10-year Cashew Development Plan aims to boost cashew export revenues from $243 million in 2019 to $1 billion by 2027. However, with the ongoing illegal mining crisis, Ghana may struggle to meet its production targets, which could significantly impact farmers and the overall economy.
As the crisis escalates, urgent and effective action is needed to combat illegal mining and ensure the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s cashew sector.