Court jails farmer 24 months for stealing cocoa

A 22-year-old farmer who stole quantity of cocoa beans valued at GH¢50, have been jailed 24 months in hard labour by a circuit court at Akim Swedru in the Birim South District.

Joe Asare Inkoom pleaded guilty to stealing the cocoa beans, property of Madam Yaa Mansa, a farmer at Arakabour village near Akim Eshiem.

Police Inspector Kwaku Appiah told the court presided over by Mr. Yaw Atta Sampong that both Madam Mansa, the complainant and Asare, live at Akim Eshiem, but share a common farm boundary at Arakabour village.

Inspector Appiah said on September 9, Madam Mansa engaged some laborers and her children to pluck her cocoa.

They broke the pods and left the beans to ferment in the farm.

He said on September 29, when Madam Mansa visited the farm to check on the beans she noticed that a quantity had been stolen.

Inspector Appiah said the complainant reported the incident to members of Akim Eshiem Unit Committee, who gave a public announcement about the theft.

He said on September 30, a witness in the case who saw Asare collecting the beans from Madam Mansa’s farm informed her, compelling her to make a report to the Police.