The head of public affairs of Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Sam Jerome, has disclosed that President Mahama has tasked the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Dr. Randy Abbey, to initiate the process of amending the existing laws governing the cocoa sector.
According to Jerome, the current legal framework is outdated and does not adequately address the evolving challenges facing the cocoa industry.
He explained that the revised legal framework will introduce stronger measures to safeguard cocoa farms and protect the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
The CEO of COCOBOD is currently finalizing the draft of the new legislation, which will soon be presented to Parliament for consideration and approval.
A key concern prompting this legal review is the increasing rate at which cocoa farmers are selling their lands to illegal miners, commonly referred to as ‘galamseyers’. Jerome emphasized that the new legislation aims to curb this trend and prevent the destruction of cocoa farms by illegal mining activities.
The revised law will also introduce punitive measures for individuals and entities that purchase cocoa farms for mining purposes. This is intended to serve as a deterrent and help preserve Ghana’s cocoa production, which remains a critical contributor to the national economy.
Mr. Jerome also highlighted the ongoing cocoa rehabilitation programme in the Western North Region, describing it as one of the most important initiatives for COCOBOD. The region plays a crucial role in the country’s cocoa production, and the rehabilitation effort is vital for sustaining yields and farmer incomes.
However, he acknowledged that there have been several complaints from farmers regarding the implementation of the rehabilitation programme. Some farms that were cut down for replanting have not been replanted, while others that were replanted have experienced high seedling mortality due to unfavorable weather conditions.
To address these challenges, COCOBOD has deployed a team of soil scientists to the affected areas in the Western North Region to conduct thorough research and identify the root causes of the problem.
Jerome indicated that the findings of this research will guide the next steps in ensuring the success of the rehabilitation programme.
In addition, he announced that the new cocoa producer price will be officially announced by August 7, 2025. He indicated that the government is committed to ensuring that farmers receive a fair share of cocoa revenues in line with its previous promises.
Jerome explained that under the new pricing structure, cocoa farmers will receive 70 per cent of the prevailing international market price. This 70 per cent will not be added to the previous season’s price, but will instead serve as the base for the new season’s cocoa purchases.
COCOBOD CEO assures farmers of favourable cocoa price for 2025/2026 season
By Emmanuel Sowah
