The Chamber of Cocoa Marketers has called on President John Dramani Mahama to assent to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) Bill, emphasising that swift action is needed to address pressing challenges facing the country's cocoa industry.

Speaking at the launch of the Chamber of Cocoa Marketers on August 13, 2026, Acting President Samuel Adimado described the Bill as a significant step toward reforming the cocoa sector and introducing innovative solutions to longstanding industry concerns.

According to him, any delay in signing the legislation could slow efforts aimed at strengthening Ghana’s cocoa value chain and improving the sector’s overall performance.

“With the briefing that we have received, time is of the essence. This is not a political matter. Time is of the essence,” Adimado stated.

He further stressed that, from an agricultural perspective, there is no justification for postponing the President’s assent to the Bill.

The newly launched Chamber brings together key stakeholders within the cocoa industry, including Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), cocoa processors, banks, insurance firms, transport operators, and other participants across the value chain.

The organization aims to serve as a platform for dialogue between industry players, government, COCOBOD, and other relevant institutions on matters affecting the sector.

Adimado also welcomed provisions within the Bill designed to safeguard existing cocoa farms. He noted that cocoa seedlings developed by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana represent a substantial public investment, as they are distributed to farmers at no cost despite the significant resources required for their development.

Cocoa farmers urge review of Bill before presidential assent

He argued that such investments must be protected and suggested that any destruction of cocoa farms should be subject to approval processes and compensation where necessary.

“The breeding of cocoa planting materials involves considerable investment. These seedlings are provided to farmers as a public good, and it is important that they are protected,” he said.

The Ghana Cocoa Board Bill also proposes a new pricing framework for cocoa farmers. Under the legislation, producers would be guaranteed 70 percent of the gross free-on-board (FOB) value of cocoa exports, while allowing farm-gate prices to be adjusted in line with prevailing market conditions.

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