Barely a fortnight after Parliament passed the landmark Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, hundreds of cocoa farmers gathered in Konongo to engage directly with officials from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) regarding the new legislation and its long-term impact on their livelihoods.
The sensitisation rally the first major grassroots gathering since the Bill’s passage drew farmers from across the Ashanti Region, including Juaben, Asiwa, Juaso, and Konongo. Organised as part of COCOBOD’s nationwide public education campaign, the event aimed to unpack key provisions of the law, address emerging misconceptions, and reinforce dialogue between regulators and producers.
Addressing the gathering, the Executive Director of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), Dr. Richard Adu Acheampong, reassured farmers that the updated legal framework is designed to protect their interests and modernize the sector.
“This new legislation is built around the farmer,” Dr. Acheampong stated during his presentation. “Our goal today is to ensure that every provision from farmgate operations to productivity enhancements is fully understood at the community level so you can reap the direct benefits of these reforms.”
Echoing these sentiments, Deputy Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, Mr. Benjamin Larweh, stressed the importance of clear communication during the rollout phase.
“Misinformation can undermine even the best policy,” Mr. Larweh noted. “That is why COCOBOD is taking accurate information straight to the grassroots. We are here to listen to your concerns, clarify every clause, and ensure complete transparency as we move into implementation.”
During an interactive open forum, local farmers voiced strong support for the direct engagement while emphasizing the need for continuous dialogue across rural districts.
“We welcome this new law, but education cannot end today,” said Nana Yaw Owusu, a local cocoa farmer from Juaso. “Many of us deep in the communities need regular updates so we know exactly how these legal changes affect our daily harvest and pricing.”
The rally brought together several key local dignitaries, including the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Asante Akim North, Hon. Sarah Amoako; representatives from the Asante Akim Central District Assembly; the Ashanti Region COCOSHE Secretary; and the Konongo District Chief Farmer.
Speaking on behalf of local government authorities, Hon. Sarah Amoako praised the initiative: “The cocoa sector remains the backbone of our regional economy. Bringing COCOBOD leadership directly to Konongo gives our farmers confidence that their voices are heard at the highest levels of governance.”
COCOBOD officials affirmed that similar sensitisation rallies will be rolled out across all cocoa-growing regions in the coming weeks to ensure full stakeholder alignment.
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