A critical provision in Ghana's new Cocoa Protection Bill, Clause 81, has sparked significant concern among agricultural stakeholders. This clause mandates government approval for the destruction, uprooting, or sale of any cocoa tree. Isaac Yaw Opoku, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee, has called for an urgent review of this specific provision.
Opoku, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Offinso South, highlighted that such restrictions could create severe practical difficulties for cocoa farmers. Routine farming practices, including removing, pruning, and thinning cocoa trees, are essential for maintaining farm health and productivity. Delays in obtaining government approval for these activities could have detrimental consequences for the entire cocoa sector.
This legislative development occurs within the broader context of Ghana's efforts to safeguard its crucial cocoa industry, which is a cornerstone of the national economy. Cocoa exports are a primary source of foreign exchange, contributing significantly to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The government aims to enhance the sector's sustainability and profitability, but critics argue that Clause 81 might inadvertently undermine these objectives by imposing undue burdens on farmers.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Monday, August 10, Opoku clarified that his opposition was not against the entire cocoa legislation. He stated, "We support the bill 100%, but we are not happy with the manner in which it was passed in haste, particularly clause 81." He emphasized that the bill's hurried passage lacked adequate stakeholder consultation, leading to potentially problematic provisions.
The implications of Clause 81 are far-reaching, particularly concerning disease control. Opoku warned that if a farmer has an infected cocoa tree, such as one suffering from Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus, delays in removal due to an approval process could lead to the rapid spread of the disease across an entire farm. This could result in substantial crop losses and economic hardship for farmers. Furthermore, farmers whose land is no longer suitable for cocoa production due to depleted soil nutrients or climate change pressures should be able to repurpose their land without burdensome bureaucratic hurdles.
Opoku also criticized the bill's requirement for mandatory registration of cocoa farms before commercial production, purchase, or sale of cocoa. He noted that while the registration exercise began in 2019, it has not yet covered all of Ghana's over 800,000 cocoa households, with only more than 700,000 registered. He argued that this requirement should only be enforceable once all farmers and their farms are fully registered to avoid excluding a significant portion of the farming community.
The legislator also sought greater clarity on the proposed 70 percent share of cocoa proceeds for farmers and the mechanisms for selling cocoa to local processors. He further opposed a provision that would introduce new licensing arrangements for external marketing and exports. Opoku believes transferring these activities to a new licensing system could weaken Ghana’s bargaining position with international buyers, potentially impacting the country's revenue from cocoa sales.
The President is now urged to return the bill to Parliament for further consideration and amendments. The outcome of this review will significantly impact the livelihoods of thousands of cocoa farmers and the future trajectory of Ghana's vital cocoa industry. Stakeholders will be closely watching how the government addresses these concerns to ensure the legislation genuinely supports the sector's growth and the welfare of its producers.