The Member of Parliament for Kwabre East, Akwasi Gyamfi Onyina-Acheampong, has called for sustainability to be placed at the heart of Ghana’s cocoa sector reforms as Parliament considers the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026.
Contributing to the Second Reading debate on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, July 29, the lawmaker urged Parliament to undertake a thorough scrutiny of the proposed legislation to ensure it adequately addresses the long-term challenges confronting the cocoa industry.
He emphasized that while the Bill seeks to modernise the operations of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), it must provide a clear framework for environmental, social and economic sustainability to safeguard the future of cocoa production.
Hon. Onyina-Acheampong observed that sustainability has become a global benchmark in cocoa production, making it imperative for Ghana to align its legal framework with international best practices.
According to him, the legislation should promote good agricultural practices, environmental stewardship and social responsibility, while also creating opportunities for cocoa farmers to diversify their sources of income.
“Cocoa sustainability has become the norm across the world. Good agricultural practices, good environmental practices, good social practices and alternative livelihoods for cocoa farmers have all become essential. I hope this Bill addresses these sustainability issues so that when cocoa is out of season, farmers will have alternative sources of livelihood to depend on until the next season,” he stated.
The Kwabre East MP also raised concerns over the growing threat of illegal mining in cocoa-growing communities, warning that galamsey activities continue to destroy cocoa farms, pollute rivers and encroach on protected buffer zones.
He called for stronger legal safeguards within the Bill to protect cocoa-growing lands and water bodies from environmental degradation.
Hon. Onyina-Acheampong further urged lawmakers to strengthen provisions relating to the proposed Cocoa Tribunal to deal with fraudulent practices affecting Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), particularly the misappropriation of company funds by some purchasing clerks.
He argued that while COCOBOD funds were traditionally regarded as public funds, the liberalisation of cocoa purchasing has introduced private sector participation, creating new legal challenges that require specific legislative attention.
The lawmaker also questioned provisions establishing an educational trust fund for cocoa farmers, arguing that government already operates major education support programmes and cautioning against creating additional financial obligations. He further noted that previous cocoa scholarship schemes had been associated with allegations of corruption, nepotism and favouritism.
Hon. Onyina-Acheampong concluded by urging Parliament not to rush the passage of the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, insisting that a comprehensive review of the legislation would produce a stronger legal framework capable of protecting farmers, enhancing sustainability and securing the long-term future of Ghana’s cocoa industry.
The Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, currently before Parliament, seeks to establish a new legal framework for the regulation, development and sustainability of Ghana’s cocoa sector while strengthening the governance and operations of COCOBOD.
By: Christian Kpesese
