NPP will not support any attempt to criminalise cocoa farmers – Isaac Yaw Opoku

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has firmly stated that they will not back any legislation or policies aimed at criminalizing Ghanaian cocoa farmers. Dr Isaac Yaw Opoku, the Chairman of the NPP Policy Committee on Agriculture and the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, made this known during a press conference at the NPP headquarters on August 9, 2026.

The party staunchly opposes any measures that would impose excessive restrictions on farmers in managing their cocoa farms. Dr Opoku expressed particular disdain for the provisions of the recently enacted Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, particularly Clause 81. This clause, he argued, would grant the Ghana Cocoa Board extensive control over the destruction or uprooting of cocoa trees, potentially subjecting farmers to criminal penalties for decisions relating to their own farmlands.

Dr Opoku contended that the provision is unenforceable as it could criminalize legitimate farming practices, such as the removal of old, diseased, or unproductive cocoa trees. He also voiced concerns that Clause 81 could lead to overreach by the state in land ownership and usage, which might infringe on the rights of landowners and cocoa farmers.

Dr Opoku's concerns were fueled by the already documented abuse of Sections 207 and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). He urged the government to involve farmers, landowners, and other stakeholders before implementing provisions that could significantly impact the cocoa sector. Furthermore, he called for a reevaluation of the controversial provisions in the bill, warning that overly stringent regulations could deter investment in cocoa farming and jeopardize the livelihoods of farmers.

This stance aligns with the NPP's broader opposition to the swift passage of the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, which was rushed through Parliament following its introduction on July 28, 2026.