The Africa Schools Sanitation Foundation has behalf of Ghanaian schoolchildren, applauded COCOBOD for putting protective measures in place to safeguard cocoa farms from the effects of illegal mining operations.

In a statement, the non-governmental organisation praised COCOBOD for establishing the Galamsey Desk in the Chief Executive’s office to protect cocoa farms from galamsey threats through advocacy for applying statutes and other campaigns.

It stated that illegal miners’ activities endanger schoolchildren’s lives and that COCOBOD’s efforts to address the issues are commendable.

It congratulated Prof. Michael Kwarteng on his appointment as Head of the Galamsey Desk.

The NGO, as part of its core values and objectives, mobilise Ghanaians and other individuals both at home and abroad to raise funds or mobilise resources to build, renovate toilet facilities and provide a befitting general school environment in public schools in Africa with a special emphasis on Ghana.

Read the full statement below

GHANAIAN CHILDREN SALUTE COCOBOD GHANA FOR EMBARKING ON A CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT COCOA FARM LS FROM DESTRUCTION BY GALAMSEY ACTIVITIES.

On behalf of the children of Ghana, whose lives and future are in danger due to the eminent environmental destruction through galamsey and other activities, poor sanitation and non application of the laws, and our own behalf salutes COCOBOD GHANA for establishing Galamsey Desk in the office of the Chief Executive to protect cocoa farms from the threats of galamsey through advocacy of the application of the statutes and other campaigns.

Ghana as we are aware, is known internationally as a major producer of Gold and Cocoa.

It is therefore imperative to protect both industries and commodities. We must not allow the exploration and extraction of gold destroy another that earns the Country huge sums of foreign exchange.

To protect both industries means protecting the employment and livelihood of thousands not a few.

We congratulate Prof Michael Kwarteng on his appointment as Head of the Galamsey Desk.

We at Africa Schools Sanitation Foundation are touched by his drive and passion.