COCOBOD AND SHAWBELL CONSULTING PARTNER TO REVIEW KEY COCOA INDUSTRY LEGISLATION

Date: 19th June 2024

Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has signed a contract with ShawbellConsulting in a strategic move to enhance the regulatory framework of Ghana’s cocoa industry. 

The contract is aimed at reviewing and enhancing the Ghana Cocoa Board Act, 1984 (PNDCL 81) and other relevant legislations, regulations, and guidelines governing Ghana’s cocoa industry.

At a signing ceremony at Cocoa House in Accra on Tuesday, 18th June 2024, the Chief Executive of COCOBOD, Hon Joseph Boahen Aidoo underscored the significance of the partnership, stressing the need to have Ghana’s cocoa laws reviewed to foster a more robust legal framework that addresses critical issues facing the industry. 

Hon Aidoo emphasized that the decision to review the laws is in light of emerging challenges, as well as, opportunities facing the cocoa industry. He pointed to factors such as land use, evolving global market trends and the growing number of Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) as some key reasons for the review.

“For over 40 years, our laws have been tried and tested but now with emerging challenges and opportunities, we feel there is a need to relook at these laws. Today, cocoa is competing with other land uses such as illegal mining. People are able to destroy cocoa trees and use the land for illegal mining without regard for existing laws,” he stated.

“In the past, the Produce Buying Company (PBC), which was the sole purchaser of cocoa for COCOBOD, operated under these laws tailored for its activities. Currently, there are about 65 LBCs operating under these same laws which is why it is imperative to review the laws to streamline guidelines for their operations,” he added.   

The COCOBOD Chief Executive also requested ShawbellConsulting to consider the recent European Union (EU) legislation on deforestation and child labour in their review to ensure that Ghana’s cocoa industry continues to align its activities with the best international standards. 

On her part, Miss Phyllis Christian, CEO and Founder of Shawbell Consulting, expressed her firm’s commitment to the project and gave their assurance to help create a comprehensive legal regime that enhances efficiency in the cocoa industry.

“We require your utmost cooperation and for you to be responsive as possible especially when there is the need to speak with you about the processes,” she urged.

Meanwhile, the Board’s partnership with ShawbellConsulting forms part of the broader Cocoa Sector Institutional Support Project (COSISP), funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), which aims to enhance COCOBOD’s performance through comprehensive reforms and capacity building.