Cocoa pods became the unexpected focal point of political drama in Parliament on Friday, February 28, as Minority Members staged a symbolic protest moments before the President delivered the State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The tense scenes unfolded just after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, invited President John Mahama to address the House.

MPs on the Majority side broke into a celebratory Twi chorus — “Ɔde asɛmpa na aba oo, Ɔde asɛmpa na aba ooo” — meaning “He has brought good news.” The chant was interspersed with references to the government’s proposed “24-Hour Economy”, a policy initiative aimed at boosting productivity and stimulating growth.

However, the Minority caucus swiftly responded with a counter-chant, altering the final line to “atɔ nsuom” — literally translated as “it has fallen into water”, a phrase commonly used to suggest failure.

Yet it was not the competing songs that drew the greatest attention. In a striking visual gesture, Minority MPs displayed cocoa pods in the chamber, turning the spotlight squarely on what they describe as a deepening crisis in Ghana’s cocoa sector.

Cocoa is one of Ghana’s most important export commodities and a cornerstone of the national economy. The crop supports hundreds of thousands of farming households and remains a critical source of foreign exchange earnings.

By bringing cocoa pods into Parliament, the Minority sought to highlight mounting concerns over falling production levels, financial challenges within the sector, and the broader economic implications of the downturn.

The Minority’s protest suggests growing frustration over how these issues are being addressed, particularly at a time when the government is projecting economic recovery and reform.

While the Majority’s song framed the President’s address as one bringing “good news”, the cocoa pods served as a silent but powerful rebuttal — a reminder, according to the Minority, that key sectors of the economy continue to face significant headwinds.