Farmers Demand Fair Compensation After Company Destroys Cocoa Trees
Tension is brewing in Breman-Brofoyedu, a mining town in Central Region's Upper Denkyira West District, after Perseus Ghana Mining Company Limited (PMGL) destroyed cocoa trees belonging to three Concerned Farmers Association-Breman (CFAB) members.
The incident, which occurred in August has left three farmers counting their losses: Emmanuel Boampong, the Chief Farmer, lost over 10 cocoa trees; Akwasi Mensah, around 50; and Nana Akua, more than 4.
Following the destruction of their cocoa trees, Perseus held three separate meetings with the affected farmers, purportedly to discuss compensation.
However, these talks have so far yielded no tangible results.
Speaking to journalists, Chief Farmer Boampong revealed that Perseus proposed to pay GHC120 per tree destroyed, which the farmers deemed "insulting."
They countered by suggesting that Perseus multiply the offered amount (GHC120 per cocoa tree) by the number of trees destroyed and then by 20 years, but are still awaiting a response.
“We outrightly rejected their proposal because it was insulting. However, we suggested to them to multiply their GHC120 per cocoa tree by the number of trees destroyed and then by 20 years on each farm, they have since not reported back to us,” the chief farmer narrated.
Chief Farmer Boampong expressed bewilderment at the sudden destruction of their cocoa trees, emphasising the significant financial losses incurred.
“The destruction of our cocoa trees has resulted in significant financial losses for us,” the chief farmer lamented.
He urged Perseus to provide fair and adequate compensation, warning that failure to do so would prompt severe actions from the farmers and the association.
“…failure on the part of the company to address our matter will compel them to take serious actions against them,” he cautioned.
Chief Farmer Boampong seized the opportunity to emphasize that CFAB members prioritize farming over leasing their lands to Perseus or any other mining company for gold extraction.