Ghana Cocoa Board Bill and industry reforms

The introduction of the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, has triggered political debate regarding its legislative process and impact on farmers. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) criticized the bill for being rushed through Parliament under a ‘Certificate of Urgency’ without sufficient consultation. Opponents raised concerns that the legislation could criminalize routine farm management and lacked transparency in its pricing formulas.

In response, the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and parliamentary majority members defended the bill as a way to consolidate laws and improve farmer welfare, including pension arrangements. The Ghana National Cocoa Farmers Association (GNACOFA) expressed cautious support for protecting farms from unauthorized destruction while calling for safeguards against official corruption.

Following the debate, COCOBOD CEO Dr. Randy Abbey clarified that the bill is intended to protect cocoa farms from damage caused by illegal mining, logging, and real estate development, rather than banning intercropping. Additionally, COCOBOD issued a directive prohibiting Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) from purchasing cocoa beans on credit, warning that repeat offenders could face license revocation. To stabilize the sector, a new financing model is expected for the 2026/27 crop season to ensure liquidity and timely payments to farmers.