The Minority Caucus of the New Patriotic Party in Parliament has reportedly declined chocolate souvenirs shared to Members of Parliament as part of this year’s National Chocolate Week, citing dissatisfaction with the recent reduction in cocoa producer prices.

The chocolates were distributed by the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, during a statement delivered on the floor of the Parliament of Ghana to mark the celebration, which coincided with Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 14.

According to the Minority, the government’s decision to lower the producer price of cocoa from GH¢3,625 to GH¢2,587 per 64-kilogramme bag has deepened the financial strain on cocoa farmers, making the symbolic gesture inappropriate.

Adding to the debate, the Member of Parliament for Bosome-Freho, Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, described the chocolate distribution as ill-timed, arguing that farmers were grappling with reduced incomes.

Echoing similar concerns, the MP for Weija-Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, claimed that frustration over the price cut had driven some cocoa farmers to destroy their own farms in protest.

Responding to the Minority’s stance, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mahama Ayariga, accused the opposition of seeking to stir discontent among cocoa growers. He maintained that promoting chocolate consumption was essential to the survival of the cocoa value chain, questioning how farmers would benefit if demand for chocolate declined.

The exchanges took a humorous turn when Mr Ayariga jokingly suggested that Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh had discreetly kept some of the chocolates, urging parliamentary security to check his pockets—a comment that drew laughter across the chamber.