According to our reporter in the Ashanti Region, Madam Afua Adi had part of her cocoa farm destroyed by two two individuals alleged to be galamsey operators and the case was reported to the police and forwarded to Obuasi Circuit Court.
Due to the legal processes involved, she petitioned COCOBOD to intervene on her behalf and COCOBOD filed a separate suit on behalf of the farmer as a party because of the destruction of the cocoa trees.
The Court sentenced one Yaw Nelson (second Accused) to a 12-month imprisonment with hard labour for unlawfully destroying cocoa trees belonging Madam Afua Adi, a cocoa farmer in Adansi Fumso near Obuasi.
Mr. Isaac Kyeremeh Yeboah (1st accused) was convicted and bonded to be of good behaviour for 6 months or in default serve 12 months Imprisonment with hard labour.
Mr. Kyeremeh Yeboah was spared custodial sentence because he was 73 years old and having health issues.
The head of Anti Illegal Mining Desk at the office of the Chief Executive-COCOBOD, Professor Michael Kwateng was happy that the case had been won at the circuit court. He notes that COCOBOD would be filling another suit at High Court in the coming days to seek for compensation for the farmer for the destruction of the cocoa trees by the accused.
"COCOBOD has filed number of cases at the high Court to deal with the destruction of cocoa farms by the illegal mining operators and this win is important to bring some sort of relief and hope to the cocoa farmers across the country”, he said.
Meanwhile, Prof. Kwateng says COCOBOD will not relent in its efforts to stem galamsey in the cocoa production areas across the country.
Speaking exclusively to ATLFM NEWS after the case, he said his outfit is engaged in sensitization and education of cocoa farmers on the adverse effect of the menace which is affecting cocoa production and the laws of the country.
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