The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has welcomed the newly enacted Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, describing the legislation as a major victory for cocoa farmers.
According to Mr Koomson, the new law provides a legal guarantee that cocoa farmers will receive at least 70 per cent of the gross Free-on-Board (FOB) global market price realised from their cocoa beans.
He said the provision would protect farmers from arbitrary reductions in their share of international cocoa prices by future governments.
Speaking on Ahotor FM on Saturday, August 29, 2026, Mr Koomson said the Act also introduces a contributory pension scheme for cocoa farmers and establishes an educational trust fund to support farmers and their children.
He added that the legislation strengthens the protection of cocoa-growing areas by imposing tougher sanctions, including lengthy prison sentences, on illegal mining activities that destroy cocoa farms.
Mr Koomson said the reforms would provide greater financial and social security for cocoa farmers while helping to safeguard the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
Mr Koomson’s comments follow President John Dramani Mahama’s assent to 10 Bills passed by Parliament, bringing them into law as part of his administration’s legislative and policy reforms.
The new legislation covers areas including cocoa, taxation, customs administration, energy, maritime offences, national defence and the administration of justice.
Under the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 2026, the government aims to ensure that at least 50 per cent of Ghana’s cocoa beans are processed locally, while guaranteeing farmers 70 per cent of the world market price.
President Mahama described the signing of the legislation as the fulfilment of a campaign commitment, saying: “Promise made, promise fulfilled.”
The Tribunals Act, 2026, gives effect to constitutional provisions for regional tribunals and empowers the Chief Justice to establish tribunals in the regions to handle specified categories of offences.
Other laws assented to by the President include the Community Service Act, 2026, which provides for non-custodial sentences for misdemeanours and other minor offences; the Customs Act, 2026; and the Income Tax Amendment Act, 2026, which exempts workers earning the minimum wage or below from income tax.
The remaining legislation includes the Maritime and Related Offences Act, 2026; National Defence University Act, 2026; Energy Sector Levies Amendment Act, 2026; Value Added Tax Amendment Bill, 2026; and Excise Act, 2026.
