President John Mahama’s State of the Nation Address was set to begin on Friday, February 27, but just moments before, Ghana’s Parliament was shaken by an unexpected disruption as Minority Members of Parliament staged a dramatic protest, breaking the usual formality of the occasion.
The protest centered on cocoa pods — a symbolic gesture underscoring the Minority’s growing frustration with the government’s handling of Ghana’s vital cocoa sector. Cocoa is an essential commodity for the nation, contributing significantly to both foreign exchange and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
As the Majority MPs enthusiastically welcomed the President with chants of “Ɔde asɛmpa na aba oo” — meaning “He has brought good news”—the Minority responded with an altered refrain, “atɔ nsuom,” meaning “it has fallen into water,” implying that the government’s policies were doomed to fail.
However, it was the physical presence of cocoa pods on the floor of Parliament that captured the most attention.
This striking gesture was a deliberate attempt to call attention to the cocoa sector’s challenges, particularly declining production levels and financial difficulties that have plagued farmers and exporters. By bringing these pods into the House, the Minority highlighted what they view as a neglected crisis that is deeply affecting one of Ghana’s most important economic pillars.
Despite the government’s focus on ambitious plans like the “24-Hour Economy” aimed at stimulating economic growth, the Minority MPs believe that without addressing the root problems in critical sectors like cocoa, any efforts toward recovery would fall short.
This protest is part of a broader sentiment of disillusionment, as the Minority believes that the government’s policies are out of touch with the realities facing many Ghanaian farmers.
With cocoa farmers struggling to make ends meet amid rising production costs and inconsistent support, the Minority MPs argue that the government’s failure to address these issues effectively is jeopardizing the livelihoods of rural communities.
Source: metrotvonline.com
