Beginning September, the European Union (EU) and Japan will conduct heavy metal tests on cocoa exports from Ghana, citing contamination risks associated with illegal mining.

This development could have a significant impact on Ghana’s cocoa trade, particularly in key international markets.

At a conference on responsible small-scale mining, acting COCOBOD CEO Dr. Randy Abbey stressed the urgent need to address illegal mining, warning that it poses a serious threat to Ghana’s reputation as a top cocoa producer.“The European Union and Japan have indicated that from September this year, they will begin testing for heavy metals, especially nickel, in our cocoa. The premium status of our cocoa, which gives us extra money, is under serious threat because they are starting with nickel. North America and most parts of Asia will follow shortly,” he cautioned.Dr. Abbey also noted that COCOBOD will face increased financial pressure due to this new requirement.

“As a result of this, COCOBOD will have to spend significant amounts of money to set up state-of-the-art laboratories at the Quality Control Center in Tema to meet the standards and test for these heavy metals. The testing is no longer just for moisture and other known factors.

“Now, they want to test for heavy metals because of the stories and the reality of the impact of illegal mining in cocoa-growing areas,” he explained.

As global buyers impose stricter rules, Ghana is under growing pressure to mitigate the environmental harm from illegal mining to safeguard its cocoa exports.