PBC Deputy MD urges Cocoa Farmers to reject Galamsey and focus on sustainable farming

By Prince Antwi June 13, 2026

The Deputy Managing Director of the Produce Buying Company (PBC), Thomas Ayisi Kumah, has urged cocoa farmers across Ghana to remain committed to cocoa cultivation and avoid the temptation of engaging in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Speaking in an interview with GHOne Business, Kumah stressed that although cocoa prices are subject to fluctuations on the global market, cocoa farming remains a more reliable and sustainable source of income than the short-term financial gains offered by illegal mining activities.

He acknowledged that cocoa farmers often face challenges due to changing market prices but maintained that the crop continues to provide long-term economic benefits and stability for farming communities.

“Prices do not always go up; sometimes they decline, and that is one of the challenges in the sector. However, cocoa will continue to provide farmers with better and more sustainable income than the one-time payments they receive from galamsey operators,” he stated.

Kumah advised farmers not to be swayed by offers from illegal miners seeking to acquire or lease cocoa farmlands for mining purposes. According to him, government interventions and support programmes within the cocoa sector provide greater long-term value than the risks associated with surrendering productive farmland to mining activities.

“I encourage cocoa farmers not to succumb to the enticements of galamsey operators. They should remain committed to cocoa farming because it guarantees sustainability,” he added.

He further emphasized that the future prosperity of many farming communities depends on the preservation of cocoa plantations and urged farmers to continue working diligently to ensure the industry remains a dependable source of livelihood and revenue for households across the country.