The Minority gifted President Mahama and Prof Opoku-Agyemang cocoa pods
There was a symbolic yet light-hearted moment in Parliament on Friday, February 27, 2026, as the Minority Caucus presented cocoa pods to President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang after the 2026 State of the Nation Address.
The gift elicited laughter from the president and vice president, who shared a warm moment with members of the Minority.
SONA 2026: President Mahama announces $250 million savings in energy sector
The gesture was however accompanied by a visual protest, as the Caucus led by the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin appeared in the House clad in black attires with matching kente sashes bearing the inscription “Cocoa Akuafo Υaγε Mɔbo Dodo, a Twi phrase meaning “Cocoa farmers have become so pitiful.”
Delivering his address, President Mahama said the government’s decision to reduce the producer price of cocoa was a difficult but necessary step to safeguard the country’s economic stability.
Ivory Coast set to cut farmer cocoa price – Report
“The difference between economic hardship and avoiding the same is the exercise of sound economic judgement. I am determined to take decisions that ensure our collective wellbeing and avoid the sufferings of all our citizens. These are decisions to take but Mr Speaker, I had to take them,” he said.
The protest follows the recent cut in the farmgate of cocoa by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) that have been reduced from GH¢58,000 ($5,300) per tonne to GH¢41,392 ($3,580) per tonne for the remainder of the 2025/2026 cocoa season.
The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has defended the price cut, saying market realities including the unwillingness of buyers to pay for Ghana’s cocoa necessitated the change.
“The current situation is largely driven by the unwillingness of buyers to purchase Ghana’s cocoa because it has become uncompetitive and very expensive,” he stated.
Watch the video below :
JKB/VPO
Watch NPP MPs in all-black as President Mahama delivers 2026 SONA
Source:
www.ghanaweb.com