Mr Yaw Biredu Boateng, the Chief Cocoa Farmer of New Nsutam in the Fanteakwa District of the Easter Region, said rubber plantations in the Region were given adequate security, which protected growers from wanton destruction of their rubber trees, adding that same must be done for cocoa farmers.

He said timber merchants invaded cocoa farms to fell timber and ended up destroying their farms, especially when they were carting them.  Mr Boatend said for the galamsey operators, they used excavators to dig trenches, thereby uprooting the cocoa trees.

The situation had led to the dwindling of cocoa trees in the area, he said, and that if care was not taken inputs to help increase cocoa yield would be a waste due to the nefarious activities of timber companies and galamsey operators.

“Cocoa is the back-bone of the Ghanaian economy and there is the need to ensure adequate security through laws and regulations to protect the cocoa farms and sustain the economy.”