The Majority in Parliament has called on President John Dramani Mahama to assent to the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, arguing that the legislation will provide stronger financial protection for cocoa farmers ahead of the next cocoa season.

The Majority says the Bill will guarantee cocoa farmers 70% of the world market price realised by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), describing the provision as an important measure to ensure farmers benefit more directly from developments in the international cocoa market.

The call follows opposition from the Minority in Parliament, which has urged President Mahama to return the Bill to Parliament for broader stakeholder consultation.

The Minority has raised concerns about aspects of the legislation and argues that further engagement is necessary before it is signed into law.

Speaking to Citi News, Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Food, Agriculture and Cocoa Affairs Committee and Keta MP, Kwami Dzudzorli Gakpey, dismissed the Minority’s concerns as an attempt to derail the legislation and described the opposition to the Bill as “cheap propaganda”.

He also used environmental regulations governing the cutting of trees to defend the need for regulatory oversight in the cocoa sector.

Mr Gakpey urged President Mahama to act urgently on the legislation, saying the timing was critical because the new cocoa season was approaching.

“I will urge the President, as a matter of urgency, to sign the Bill into law, and then we move on because the season is just coming. That is why we took the Bill under a certificate of urgency to satisfy the need,” he said.