COCOBOD’s Jerome Sam challenges claims Minority claims parliament rushed Cocoa Bill

Jerome Kwame Sam, Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), has refuted claims by the Minority that Parliament rushed the passage of the new cocoa bill. Mr Sam asserted that the bill underwent thorough scrutiny in Parliament, with a clause-by-clause review by lawmakers and legal experts. Despite the Minority's criticism, Mr Sam emphasized the importance of free expression of opinion, which is enshrined in Ghana's constitution.

He clarified that the bill was not solely drafted within COCOBOD but involved expert input and parliamentary review. Mr Sam highlighted specific changes made to provisions concerning mining activities within cocoa-producing areas, which were deemed necessary due to conflicts with the constitution and the Minerals and Mining Act.

He argued that these changes underscore the necessity of parliamentary scrutiny. Mr Sam also addressed concerns that the bill might undermine cocoa farmers' interests, asserting that the legislation includes reforms not previously present in Ghana's cocoa sector laws. He maintained that labeling the bill as unfit for purpose was difficult to justify given its provisions.