Cocoa Bill: COCOBOD says new reforms will protect farmers from sector’s old gaps
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has rejected concerns raised by the Minority over the newly passed Cocoa Bill, insisting the legislation contains reforms aimed at protecting cocoa farmers and addressing gaps in the management of the sector.
Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has dismissed Minority Party concerns over the recently enacted Cocoa Bill, stating the reforms within the legislation aim to safeguard cocoa farmers and remedy sectoral shortcomings. Jerome Kwame Sam, COCOBOD's Head of Public Affairs, addressed the issue on Joy News’ PM Express, refuting the minority's apprehensions.
Sam highlighted several provisions in the new law that did not exist in prior regulations governing the cocoa industry. He emphasized the bill's intent to safeguard farmers' interests, asserting that the legislation introduces significant reforms absent from previous governing laws. Sam defended the legislative process, explaining that COCOBOD engaged experts throughout the drafting phase and collaborated with Parliament’s legislative committee to review the proposed law.
Specifically, he discussed a mining activities provision, which was removed due to constitutional and statutory conflicts. Sam stressed the importance of parliamentary scrutiny, questioning how these concerns would have been addressed without it. He also challenged the narrative that Parliament lacked sufficient time or opportunity to review the legislation, questioning the credibility of the minority's claims.
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