The Member of Parliament for Kwabre East, Hon. Akwasi Gyamfi Onyina-Acheampong, has called on the government to suspend the passage of the proposed COCOBOD Bill and engage in broader consultations with stakeholders in Ghana’s cocoa sector.
The proposed legislation seeks to reform the governance, financing and producer pricing framework of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD). Among its key provisions is a guarantee that cocoa farmers will receive not less than 70 percent of the gross Free-on-Board (FOB) price of cocoa.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament, the Kwabre East MP argued that the bill would have far-reaching implications for the cocoa industry and should not be rushed through Parliament without extensive engagement with key stakeholders.
According to him, cocoa farmers, Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), the Producer Price Review Committee, cocoa exporters, chocolate manufacturers, chief farmers, civil society organisations, researchers and other industry players must all be given the opportunity to contribute before the legislation is passed.
Hon. Onyina-Acheampong said the cocoa sector faces several longstanding challenges, including producer pricing and regulatory concerns, which require careful consideration through broad-based consultations rather than a hurried legislative process.
The lawmaker further accused the Majority Caucus of relying on its numerical strength in Parliament to push the bill through without first building consensus among stakeholders.
He challenged the Majority to make public any report showing that comprehensive consultations had been held with cocoa farmers, Licensed Buying Companies, the Producer Price Review Committee, cocoa processors, chocolate manufacturers and chief farmers across the country.
According to the Kwabre East MP, Parliament must ensure that any reforms to Ghana’s cocoa sector reflect the views of those directly affected and protect the long-term interests of the industry.
