There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it – COCOBOD defends new Cocoa Bill amid minority attacks

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has dismissed criticism of the recently passed Cocoa Bill, maintaining that there is "absolutely nothing" wrong with the legislation. Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, Jerome Kwame Sam, responded to ongoing concerns raised by the Minority party over provisions within the law. The new bill aims to bolster the legal framework governing Ghana's cocoa industry and includes safeguards for cocoa farms.

However, the legislation has faced scrutiny due to restrictions on converting cocoa farms to other uses, prompting worries about potential impacts on farmers.

Parliament approved the bill last month, and it is presently awaiting the president's approval. Sam expressed confusion about the minority's stance, noting that the opposition had consistently opposed the bill for reasons not fully clear to him. Despite objections post-legislation passage, Sam emphasized that the bill's provisions are intended to protect cocoa farmers. He argued that after thorough review, the bill introduces reforms absent from prior laws concerning the cocoa sector.

Sam questioned the rationale behind labeling the bill as unsuitable or detrimental to cocoa farmers, describing it as challenging to understand such perspectives. He highlighted that the bill was crafted with expert input and underwent extensive parliamentary review. The legislation went through clause-by-clause examination by lawyers, lawmakers, and the legislative committee, resulting in amendments and deletions as deemed necessary.

The removal of a provision regarding mining licenses, deemed inconsistent with constitutional provisions, exemplified the scrutiny the bill underwent.

Sam cited this as proof of the extensive parliamentary scrutiny, challenging the notion that Parliament lacked sufficient time to examine the bill. He expressed concern over the minority's continued assertions that Parliament did not adequately scrutinize the bill, questioning its credibility. Sam's response underscored the bill's intended protections and its thorough examination process.