Illegal mining threatens rubber plantations —Omanhene of Lower Dixcove
THE Omanhene of Lower Dixcove, Nana Akwasi Agyeman IX, has called for urgent steps to be taken to protect the country’s rubber plantations from the raging scourge of illegal mining.
He said the growing encroachment of illegal miners on plantation lands, particularly within the concession of Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL), posed a serious threat to the sustainability of the rubber industry and the livelihoods of farmers.
Nana Agyeman made the call during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Chiefs on whose Lands GREL Operates (ACLANGO) here yesterday.
He warned that the association would not shield any chief found to be involved in illegal mining activities on plantation lands, stressing that “those arrested for engaging in illegal mining will face the law without support from the association.”
Nana Agyeman, who is also the President of the Association, described reports that some traditional leaders were either directly involved in or facilitating illegal mining as unfortunate and disgraceful.
He, therefore, urged such persons to desist immediately from the practice, stating that ACLANGO would not intervene on behalf of any traditional ruler apprehended for engaging in illegal mining.
The Omanhene noted that illegal mining activities were also disrupting the operations of processing factories that depended on steady supplies of raw rubber.
According to him, the exportation of raw rubber remained the single biggest threat to local processing and job creation in the rubber industry.
Nana Agyeman indicated that about seven processing factories in the country were struggling to secure adequate raw materials, resulting in underutilisation of their capacities.
“The factories are operating below capacity, leading to lost revenue and employment opportunities,” he stated.
He, therefore, called on the government to impose a complete ban on the export of raw rubber in order to ensure sufficient supply for domestic processing, boost value addition and maximise returns for the country.
The Western Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Nelson, for his part, called for a balanced and structured dialogue in addressing growing tensions within the rubber industry, particularly concerns over raw rubber exports and illegal mining in plantation areas.
He noted that the Western Region remained the heartland of Ghana’s rubber industry, with GREL and thousands of out-growers sustaining livelihoods across farming, processing, haulage, port services and export logistics.
Mr Nelson then urged stakeholders to approach discussions as partners within the same ecosystem.
“Farmers need processors, and processors need farmers,” he stated.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, AGONA NKWANTA
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