Cocoa deforestation: Why Ghana’s fixes keep failing – Prof. Asante

Ghana has been grappling with deforestation linked to cocoa production for years, according to Professor Winston Adams Asante. He argues that certification, regulation, and market restrictions alone cannot solve the issue. Prof. Asante contends that addressing economic realities, land-use decisions, and policy contradictions is crucial to curbing forest loss.

He points out that cocoa remains the primary income source for many farmers, with around 80% of their earnings coming from cocoa. These farmers, predominantly male, often have limited education and few alternatives to improve their livelihoods. When their income from existing farms is insufficient, expanding into new areas, including forests, becomes an attractive option.

Prof. Asante refutes the notion that loggers clear forests before farmers plant cocoa, citing historical evidence and satellite imagery showing cocoa farms expanding directly into forests. He emphasizes that cocoa expansion into forest areas is well-documented. Illegal mining, known as galamsey, further complicates Ghana's efforts to protect cocoa farms, as it increasingly destroys these crops.

Prof. Asante urges policymakers to abandon fragmented efforts and tackle the structural factors driving deforestation. He advocates for stronger policies, improved coordination between forestry and agricultural sectors, adequately funded interventions, and land-use planning that considers the competing demands on Ghana's natural landscapes.