Cocoa farmers in parts of the Ashanti Region have welcomed the passage of the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, describing the legislation as an important step towards protecting farmers and securing the long-term future of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
The farmers, from Juaben, Asiwa, Juaso and Konongo, expressed their support during a stakeholder sensitisation rally organised by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) at Konongo.
The engagement, which brought together more than 400 participants, was aimed at educating farmers on the new legislation and addressing concerns and misconceptions surrounding its implementation.
Officials from COCOBOD, led by the Executive Director of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), Dr Richard Adu Acheampong, and the Deputy Head of Public Affairs, Benjamin Teye Larweh, explained the rationale for the Bill, its key provisions and the expected benefits to farmers and the cocoa sector.
Key areas discussed included farmer welfare, producer pricing, protection of cocoa farms, illegal mining, cocoa smuggling, sector financing, the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme, educational support for farmers’ children, local cocoa processing and improved governance.
The officials also addressed concerns that the new law could prevent cocoa farmers from cultivating food crops on their farms or transfer ownership of cocoa farms to COCOBOD.
Farmers were assured that compatible food crops could continue to be cultivated alongside cocoa, particularly during the early stages of establishing young cocoa farms.
COCOBOD officials further clarified that the Bill does not transfer ownership of farmers’ lands to the institution.
Instead, they explained that the protective provisions are intended to safeguard cocoa farms against unlawful destruction and permanent conversion, particularly as a result of illegal mining and other activities that threaten cocoa production.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Asante Akim North, Sarah Amoako, commended COCOBOD for taking the sensitisation exercise directly to cocoa-growing communities.
She said engaging farmers at the grassroots level was essential to helping them understand the reforms, ask questions and seek clarification on issues that directly affect their livelihoods.
The MCE also highlighted provisions aimed at refocusing COCOBOD on its core mandate by restricting the institution from undertaking quasi-fiscal activities, including the construction of cocoa roads.
She urged farmers and residents to channel their concerns about road infrastructure and other community development needs to their respective Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
According to her, this would enable COCOBOD to focus its resources on regulating, developing and promoting the cocoa industry, while local and central government institutions take responsibility for broader development projects.
The farmers actively participated in the discussions and raised questions about the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme, educational support, illegal mining, cocoa roads, compensation, agricultural financing, weighing scales, planting materials, farm rehabilitation and their participation in decision-making within the sector.
Although they welcomed the reforms, the farmers called for sustained sensitisation and consultation to ensure that cocoa farmers across the country fully understand the new legal framework and its implications for their livelihoods.
They stressed that continued engagement between COCOBOD and farmers would be necessary to build confidence in the reforms and ensure that the intended benefits reach cocoa-growing communities.
