{
  "id": 225341,
  "title": "Osei-Asare urges Mahama to review Cocoa Board Bill, warns against misuse of parliamentary majority",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/osei-asare-urges-mahama-to-review-cocoa-board-bill-warns-against",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-06T14:56:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/osei-asare-urges-mahama-to-review-cocoa-board-bill-warns-against-misuse-of-parliamentary-majority/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Deputy Finance Minister and MP for Atiwa East, Abena Osei-Asare, has cautioned President John Dramani Mahama to exercise the government's parliamentary majority responsibly. She has called for a reevaluation of the recently passed Cocoa Board Amendment Bill, expressing concerns over provisions that she believes could infringe upon the rights of cocoa farmers. Osei-Asare urged Mahama to reconsider the bill, asserting that the country's parliamentary majority should be utilized for the nation's betterment rather than to impose decisions detrimental to its citizens. Speaking at the \"Democracy Under Attack\" protest on August 6, she noted that this unprecedented two-thirds majority in Parliament, as stipulated by the Constitution, was unforeseen. Despite this, Osei-Asare stressed that such power must be wielded with caution for the greater good of the populace. She questioned the necessity of farmers seeking government approval before altering the use of their cocoa farms, suggesting that citizens should not be barred from making decisions concerning their own properties. Osei-Asare reminded Mahama of his responsibility to amend the bill, drawing attention to the recent revision of the tribunal bill following public concerns. She contended that a cocoa farmer should not be penalized for deciding to change the use of their land without seeking government permission. The government's parliamentary strength, according to Osei-Asare, should be harnessed to foster national development, safeguard citizens' rights, and fortify democracy. \"Let's not abuse this. Use this right for the building of the nation,\" she concluded.",
  "summary": "Former Deputy Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Atiwa East, Abena Osei Asare, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to use the government’s two-thirds majority in Parliament responsibly, calling for a review of the Cocoa Board Amendment Bill, which he says could affect the rights and livelihoods of cocoa farmers.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Deputy Finance Minister Abena Osei-Asare urges President Mahama to review Cocoa Board Bill.",
    "Concerns over provisions potentially infringing on cocoa farmers' rights."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Mahama urges recognition of public servants’ sacrifices as Ghana marks one year since helicopter crash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/mahama-urges-recognition-of-public-servants-sacrifices-as-ghana-marks",
        "published": "2026-08-06T12:31:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}