Minority Members of Parliament staged a dramatic protest in the chamber during the State of the Nation Address delivered by the President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama.

Moments after the Speaker of Parliament granted the President permission to take the podium, the Minority MPs rose to their feet in coordinated defiance.

Clad in black attire symbolising protest and dissatisfaction, they wore sashes boldly inscribed with the message: “Cocoa Akuafo, yaye mmobo dodo” expressing deep concern that cocoa farmers are suffering greatly.

In a striking symbolic gesture, the legislators brought ripe cocoa pods into the chamber.

The display was intended to highlight their strong opposition to the President’s reported intention to reduce cocoa producer prices, citing downturns in the international market. 

According to the Minority, any reduction in cocoa prices would further burden farmers who are already grappling with rising production costs and economic hardship.

The protest unfolded peacefully but sent a powerful political message, drawing attention to the plight of cocoa farmers and intensifying debate over government policy on cocoa pricing.

The Minority maintained that protecting cocoa farmers must remain a national priority, regardless of fluctuations in the global commodity market.

The incident added heightened drama to the parliamentary proceedings, underscoring deep divisions over economic management and agricultural policy as the President proceeded with his address.