Cocoa pods became striking symbols of protest in Parliament on Friday, February 28, as Minority MPs staged a dramatic demonstration moments before President John Dramani Mahama delivered the 2026 State of the Nation Address.
The tense atmosphere unfolded shortly after Speaker Alban Bagbin invited the President to address the House.
Members on the Majority side broke into a celebratory Twi chorus, singing “Ɔde asɛmpa na aba oo,” meaning “He has brought good news,” while referencing the government’s proposed 24 Hour Economy policy aimed at boosting productivity and growth.
The Minority caucus responded with a counter chant, altering the final line to “atɔ nsuom,” loosely translated as “it has fallen into water,” a phrase commonly used to suggest disappointment or failure.
Attention quickly shifted when Minority MPs raised cocoa pods in the chamber, directing focus to what they describe as a deepening crisis in Ghana’s cocoa sector.
The visual gesture underscored concerns about falling production levels, financial strain within the industry, and the wider economic consequences.
One opposition MP said the protest was meant to reflect the frustrations of cocoa farmers across the country. “This is about livelihoods. Cocoa farmers are struggling, and the sector needs urgent attention,” he stated.
Cocoa remains one of Ghana’s most important export commodities, supporting hundreds of thousands of households and serving as a key source of foreign exchange.
By bringing the pods into Parliament, the Minority sought to challenge the government’s narrative of economic recovery, insisting that critical sectors of the economy continue to face significant pressure.
