The Vegetable Producers and Exporters Association of Ghana (Vepeag) has raised concerns over the potential ban on vegetable exports from Ghana, attributing the threat to the surge in illegal mining activities. Vepeag, representing a coalition of smallholder farmers, exporters, aggregators, processors, and other stakeholders in the export value chain, has made an appeal to President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo and the Parliament, urging immediate action to curb the activities of illegal miners, known locally as 'Galamseyers', to safeguard the vegetable industry.
Dr. Felix Kamassah, President of Vepeag, highlighted during a media briefing the detrimental impacts of 'galamsey' on vegetable production. These include the destruction of arable land, leading to reduced vegetable production for both local consumption and export, the generation of unsafe vegetables, threats to food security, potential loss of the export market, and a risk of a ban on vegetable exports. The illegal mining activities also pose a threat of losing about $15 million in foreign inflows.
Dr. Kamassah has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to immediately suspend all illegal mining activities and for security agencies to enforce this directive rigorously. He also emphasized the need for strict enforcement of sanctions on illegal mining and for key stakeholders, including the ministries of Lands and Natural Resources, and Food and Agriculture, chiefs, and national security, to convene crisis meetings to address the issue comprehensively, including the restoration of degraded sites.
"We believe that, the successful cessation of the illegal activities would protect and save the lives of the citizenry," Dr. Kamassah stated, stressing the importance of health and nutrition provided by vegetables in the daily lives of Ghanaians. He also pointed out the critical nature of export requirements and certifications, warning of the additional costs that could burden the operation costs of vegetable producers if not addressed.
Source: Ghana Business News