The Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD, Dr. Randy Abbey, has assured cocoa farmers of plans to enact laws to protect cocoa trees.

The farmers have revealed that their farms continue to be threatened by illegal mining and other commercial use of land.

Dr. Abbey, in an engagement with farmers, said new laws will make it difficult for cocoa trees to be destroyed.

"Cocoa must be protected, and it is one of the assurances the president gave the farmers when he met them at the Jubilee House. We need to sit with the Attorney General's Department so we can draft the necessary documents to get parliament to approve this," he said.

He spoke at a May Day event where the COCOBOD met farmers in the Ashanti Region.

According to the COCOBOD, existing laws on cocoa farms are weak, unable to protect farms from destruction.

These laws were enacted decades ago; hence, the inability to bite in modern times.

Meanwhile, the COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer has indicated preparedness to boost the sector.

He appealed for the support of the farmers in the implementation of his plans to increase cocoa production.

"We need to steer the affairs of COCOBOD to bring it from where it finds itself. It requires a lot of hard hardwork, dedication and discipline. That we can assure the farmers that we will do," he added.