The Member of Parliament for Akim Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has criticised the 2026 State of the Nation Address delivered by President John Dramani Mahama, stating that cocoa farmers have little reason to celebrate Ghana’s Independence due to what he describes as unfair producer prices.
Speaking to journalists in Parliament, the MP said cocoa farmers have endured significant hardship despite their contribution to the country’s economy.
“A celebration that cocoa farmers cannot be part of… they have suffered so much to develop the cocoa sector, yet the president says he cannot pay them the worth of their toil,” he stated.
He further relayed what he described as the concerns of cocoa farmers to the president, arguing that if sacrifices must be made, they should begin at the highest levels of government.
“If the president wants to cut their hair and take money from their yields, it must start from him and his appointees,” he said.
Acquah suggested that salary reductions at the Jubilee House, including those of ministers and other government officials, could help ease financial pressures rather than placing the burden on farmers. He referenced past instances where salary cuts were implemented during challenging economic periods.
The MP also raised concerns about illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, alleging that some government officials may be complicit in the practice.
According to him, documents indicate that a Municipal Chief Executive had collected fines from individuals engaged in illegal mining activities.
“Does the district assembly take fines from galamsey operators and then expect taxpayers to pay $35 million to clean the green river?” he questioned.
Acquah called on the president to ensure that government appointees found to be involved in illegal mining activities are held accountable.
He further touched on concerns raised by health workers, noting that many are awaiting the fulfilment of campaign promises and expect the government to address issues surrounding postings, particularly to rural areas.
