Illegal Gold Undermines Ghana’s Thriving Cocoa Industry

Ghana has been known for centuries for two valuable commodities: cocoa and gold.

The cocoa beans that go into Nestle morsels, Cadbury bars, or Lindt truffles all come from Ghana, the world’s second-largest cocoa producer. But cocoa farming has always competed with the mining industry for land, and in recent years, the competition has become fierce. Whether the two can coincide in harmony remains to be seen.

Many locals in Ghanaian farming communities turn to artisanal mining to supplement their income, either by direct participation or by selling their land to foreigners, not realizing they are harming ...