Cocoa farmers in parts of the Ashanti Region have welcomed the passage of the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, expressing strong support for key reforms aimed at protecting farmers' interests and strengthening the long-term sustainability of Ghana's cocoa industry.
The farmers, drawn from Juaben, Asiwa, Juaso, and Konongo, made their position known during a major stakeholder sensitisation rally organised by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) at Konongo, barely a week after Parliament passed the Bill.
The engagement, which attracted more than 400 participants, marked the first major farmers' rally in the cocoa-growing regions following the passage of the Bill and formed part of COCOBOD's programme to take accurate information on the legislation directly to farmers and other grassroots stakeholders.
Clarifying misconceptions
The discussions were led by the Executive Director of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), Dr Richard Adu Acheampong, and the Deputy Head of Public Affairs, Mr Benjamin Teye Larweh, who took participants through the rationale for the new legislation, its major provisions, and the expected benefits to farmers and the wider cocoa industry.
Key areas highlighted included farmer welfare, producer pricing, protection of cocoa farms, measures against illegal land destruction and cocoa smuggling, cocoa-sector financing, the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme, educational support for farmers' children, local processing, stakeholder participation, and measures to strengthen governance and financial sustainability within the sector.
The engagement also provided an opportunity to address some misconceptions surrounding the Bill, particularly claims that farmers would no longer be permitted to cultivate food crops on their cocoa farms or that COCOBOD could take over farmers' lands.
Farmers were given an assurance that the Bill does not prohibit the cultivation of compatible food crops alongside cocoa. Intercropping remains an important recommended agronomic practice, particularly during the establishment of young cocoa farms, where crops such as plantain and other compatible food crops may provide temporary shade while supporting farmers' livelihoods.
It was further clarified that the Bill does not transfer ownership of cocoa farms to COCOBOD. Rather, its protective provisions are intended to safeguard cocoa farms against unlawful destruction and permanent conversion to incompatible uses, particularly illegal mining and other activities that threaten farmers' investments and the sustainability of cocoa production.
Grassroots engagement
Addressing the gathering, the Municipal Chief Executive for Asante Akim North, Madam Sarah Amoako, acknowledged the enormous contribution of the cocoa industry and cocoa farmers to Ghana's socioeconomic development over the years.
She commended COCOBOD for taking the sensitisation exercise to the grassroots, noting that direct engagement with farmers was critical to ensuring that those affected by the reforms understood the provisions of the Bill and had the opportunity to seek clarification on issues of concern.
The MCE also drew attention to the provision of the Bill that seeks to refocus COCOBOD on its core mandate by restricting the institution from undertaking quasi-fiscal activities, including the construction of cocoa roads. She, therefore, urged farmers and residents of cocoa-growing communities to engage their respective Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies on road infrastructure and other development challenges that fall within the responsibility of central and local government.
According to her, this would enable COCOBOD to concentrate its resources and attention on its core responsibility of regulating, developing, and promoting Ghana's cocoa industry, while the appropriate state institutions address broader community development needs.
Reforms
Farmers actively participated in the discussions and welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with COCOBOD officials on the new legislation. They sought clarification on a wide range of issues, including the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme, educational support for farmers' children, illegal mining, cocoa roads, compensation, agricultural financing, cocoa weighing scales, planting materials, farm rehabilitation, and farmer participation in decision-making.
The farmers welcomed the reforms and called for sustained sensitisation and consultation to ensure that cocoa farmers across the country fully understood the provisions of the new legal framework and how the reforms would affect their livelihoods.
Background
The Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, which was passed by Parliament under a certificate of urgency, seeks to establish a comprehensive reform for the cocoa sector governance framework and establish a sustainable funding model for the sector. The Bill guarantees cocoa farmers a minimum of 70 per cent of the Free on Board (FOB) price and requires at least 50 per cent of cocoa beans to be processed locally.
It also introduces new mechanisms, including a Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme and an Educational Trust Scheme, and establishes a cocoa tribunal to address infractions in the sector. The legislation includes punitive measures against illegal mining in cocoa-growing regions, with new fines and penalties for those who destroy cocoa farms.
The meeting was also attended by the District Coordinating Director and Presiding Member of the Asante Akim Central Municipal Assembly, the Ashanti Regional COCOSHE Secretary, the Konongo District Chief Farmer, local media, and other stakeholders.