We are pleased to report the successful outcome of a recent operation conducted by the COCOBOD Anti-illegal Mining Taskforce. Over the weekend, two leaders of an illegal mining gang were apprehended in Atobrakrom, located in the Antoa district of the Ashanti Region. This operation also led to the confiscation of excavators and other mining equipment used in the illegal activities.
The swift intervention of the taskforce was prompted by a tip-off regarding the detrimental impact of illegal mining on cocoa farms in the area. As a result, the perpetrators were swiftly brought to justice and have since been granted police enquiry bail.
Prof. Michael Kwateng, Head of the Anti-illegal Mining Desk at COCOBOD, underscored the significance of safeguarding cocoa farms and curbing illegal mining activities. He highlighted the establishment of a dedicated taskforce aimed at enforcing the Economic Plants Protection Act of 1979 and prosecuting offenders involved in illegal mining.
It is important to note that unauthorized felling of cocoa trees is a punishable offense under the law. Cocoa trees are not only crucial economic assets for Ghana but also belong to the nation as a whole, transcending individual ownership. Preserving cocoa farms is paramount for the country's economic prosperity, and concerted efforts are indispensable to ensure their preservation.
The commitment of the COCOBOD Anti-illegal Mining Taskforce to protecting cocoa farms and combating illegal mining activities is unwavering. Safeguarding Ghana's agricultural heritage remains a top priority, and we are dedicated to upholding this imperative responsibility.
-source StarrFM | curated by Aisha Yakubu | Ghana Crimes
