Government is considering tougher penalties for cocoa smuggling under a proposed new law being reviewed by Cabinet, according to the Deputy Director of Research at the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Eric Amengor.

The proposed legislation includes a 10-year prison term, fines of up to 200,000 penalty units, or both, for persons found guilty of smuggling cocoa.

Speaking during the EU Deforestation Regulation multi-stakeholder engagement in Accra on Tuesday, May 26, Mr Amengor said the planned measures are part of efforts to strengthen the enforcement of cocoa laws.

“Yes, there is a new Cocoa Board law. We are reviewing our laws and making it very punitive for anyone who attempts to smuggle cocoa in or out of Ghana. We have proposed a 10-year jail term and 200,000 penalty units or both,” he said.

He added that COCOBOD is also proposing the establishment of a cocoa tribunal to speed up the handling of cocoa-related cases.

“We also intend to propose a cocoa tribunal to ensure that cocoa cases are dealt with as quickly as possible,” he stated.

Mr Amengor further disclosed that COCOBOD is engaging the Ministry of Finance and local banks over plans to finance cocoa purchases locally for the 2026/2027 crop season.

According to him, the move would reduce reliance on syndicated loans.

“Instead of going for the syndicated loan, we are in talks with the Ministry of Finance and the banks. This 2026/2027 season, we intend to borrow locally to support cocoa purchases,” he added.