John Mahama, the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), is advocating for an end to illegal mining activities on cocoa farms in Ghana.
During a meeting with cocoa farmers in Kumasi on February 9, the former President proposed the enactment of legislation aimed at protecting economic trees, including cocoa, from the damaging effects of unauthorised mining activities.
Mahama emphasized the need to empower traditional authorities to play a key role in issuing mining licenses, particularly to safeguard forests. He highlighted the importance of new laws that would ensure traditional authorities have a say in granting entry permits into the forests, ultimately protecting natural resources.
The NDC flagbearer for the 2024 general elections stressed the necessity for traditional authorities to actively participate in forest conservation and sanitation efforts. He advocated for legal consequences for those who enter forests to cut down trees without permission from chiefs.
Mahama’s call for an end to illegal mining activities on cocoa farms comes in response to the threat posed to cocoa farming in the country.
His proposal for legislation to protect economic trees demonstrates his commitment to finding sustainable solutions to preserve Ghana’s natural resources.
