Ghana parliament backs tough cocoa farm protections, with up to 20 years in prison
Summary
Ghana’s parliament has approved a law making it illegal to change cocoa farms to other uses without government permission, with punishments up to 20 years in prison. The law aims to protect cocoa farming, which is important to Ghana’s economy, but some farmers say it is unfair because they get little government support.Key Facts
- Ghana’s parliament passed a bill protecting cocoa farms from being converted without approval.
- Violators could face up to 20 years in prison and heavy fines for damaging cocoa trees.
- The law is not signed yet by President John Mahama.
- Cocoa farming is vital for Ghana’s economy, making up about 15% of export revenue.
- Some farmers criticized the law, saying they invest a lot but receive limited government help.
- Illegal gold mining on cocoa farms also faces harsh penalties under the bill.
- Ghana’s government sets fixed prices for cocoa beans to protect farmers from market swings.
- Cocoa futures prices surged in 2024 but then dropped significantly as supply grew faster than demand.
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