The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has commenced a nationwide stakeholder engagement exercise on the proposed Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, as part of efforts to gather input from key players in the country’s cocoa sector before the legislation is finalised.
The first consultation session brought together cocoa farmer groups, civil society organisations and the Licensed Cocoa Buyers Association of Ghana (LICOBAG) to deliberate on the provisions of the Bill and its potential impact on Ghana’s cocoa industry.
According to COCOBOD, the engagement forms part of a broader nationwide consultation aimed at ensuring that stakeholders have the opportunity to understand the contents of the proposed legislation and contribute to shaping a legal framework that reflects the needs of the sector.
Discussions focused on the key provisions of the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, including its implications for cocoa production, marketing, regulation and the overall governance of the industry.
Participants also shared views on how the proposed law could strengthen the sustainability and competitiveness of Ghana’s cocoa sector.
COCOBOD noted that the consultations are intended to promote transparency, inclusiveness and collaboration in the legislative process.
The Board emphasised the importance of engaging stakeholders whose livelihoods and businesses depend on the cocoa industry to ensure the Bill addresses practical challenges facing the sector.
The engagement also provided a platform for cocoa farmers, industry representatives and civil society organisations to ask questions, offer recommendations and seek clarification on various aspects of the proposed legislation.
As Ghana remains one of the world’s leading cocoa producers, the proposed Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, is expected to play a significant role in shaping the future of the industry by strengthening its regulatory framework and supporting sustainable growth.
COCOBOD says similar stakeholder engagements will be held across the country in the coming weeks as part of the nationwide consultation process, with feedback expected to inform the final version of the Bill before it is considered for passage.
CREDIT: MAVIS FANTEVI