Chamber of Cocoa Marketers Urges President Mahama to Sign COCOBOD Bill Without Delay

The Chamber of Cocoa Marketers has called on President John Dramani Mahama to promptly assent to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) Bill, stressing that urgent action is needed to address long-standing challenges facing the country’s cocoa sector.

Speaking at the Chamber’s launch on August 13, 2026, Acting President Samuel Adimado described the Bill as a critical reform that would introduce innovative solutions to improve the cocoa value chain and strengthen the industry’s overall performance. He warned that any delay in signing the legislation could hinder efforts to revitalise the sector.

“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 added that from an agricultural perspective, there is no justification for postponing presidential assent.

New Industry Platform

The Chamber of Cocoa Marketers brings together key stakeholders across the cocoa value chain, including Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs), cocoa processors, banks, insurance firms, transport operators, and other participants. The organisation aims to serve as a platform for dialogue between industry players, government, COCOBOD, and other relevant institutions on issues affecting the sector.

Protecting Cocoa Farms and Public Investment

Adimado welcomed provisions in 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.

“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.

He suggested that any destruction of cocoa farms should be subject to approval processes and compensation where necessary.

New Pricing Framework

The COCOBOD 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.