The Head of Public Affairs at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Sam Jerome, has defended the relevance of the institution, saying it continues to play a crucial role in protecting cocoa farmers.
Speaking on Townhall Talk on Friday (13 March), Jerome said COCOBOD was originally established to address challenges faced by farmers and to stabilise cocoa prices.
He explained that the creation of the cocoa marketing system was partly in response to historical exploitation of cocoa farmers by foreign trading companies.
“This is not the first time cocoa farmers have been cheated. The system was established to deal with those challenges,” he said.
Jerome cited historical events such as the 1937 cocoa farmers’ boycott as key moments that influenced the formation of a centralised cocoa marketing system.
He argued that the current system helps shield farmers from extreme price volatility in the international market.
“If COCOBOD did not exist, cocoa farmers would be extremely vulnerable to global price fluctuations,” he said.
Jerome also highlighted welfare benefits provided to farmers under the system, including tax exemptions and support programmes.
He acknowledged that reforms are necessary and revealed that work is underway on a new legislative framework to guide the cocoa sector.
According to him, the proposed bill will introduce new policies aimed at strengthening the industry and improving farmer welfare.
“We can do more as a board, and that is why a new bill is being prepared,” he said.
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