Member of Parliament (MP) for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has called for a thorough police investigation into the alleged destruction of billboards highlighting the plight of cocoa farmers, claiming the act was ordered by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Birim Central, Solomon Kusi Brako.
In an interview with journalists, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Akwasi Acquah expressed concern over the incident, which he described as politically motivated and an attempt to suppress the voices of cocoa farmers in the area.
According to the MP, the billboards were mounted by the People’s Forum, a group advocating for cocoa farmers displeased with the recent reduction in cocoa producer prices to GH¢2,587 per 64kg bag.
He noted that Akyem Oda is a major cocoa-producing area and he had agreed to host two of the billboards on structures he owns, for which all necessary rents had been paid to the Birim Central Municipal Assembly.
“We mounted the billboards, I think about two of them. These are billboards that I own myself but have paid every rent that I need to pay to the assembly,” Akwasi Acquah said.
He recounted that on February 23, 2026, some young men were captured on video climbing and destroying the billboards. The matter was reported to the police, who invited the suspects for questioning.
Bawumia’s engagement across political lines is good strategy – Musah Superior
“In their statement, they admitted that it was the municipal chief executive who asked them to remove those billboards,” the MP revealed, adding that he senses political undertones because the billboards criticize government policies affecting cocoa farmers.
Akwasi Acquah questioned why similar billboards in Accra, a non-cocoa-growing area, remain untouched, while those in Akyem Oda were targeted.
He linked the MCE’s alleged actions to broader issues, including the official’s involvement in galamsey (illegal mining) controversies, where he reportedly issued receipts to miners for excavator use.
“This is the same MCE who is involved in this galamsey issue, having given receipts illegally to galamseyers as a form of a fine and publicly admitting,” he stated.
The MP emphasised that the police are still investigating, but he has restrained his supporters in the NPP stronghold of Akyem Oda to avoid escalation. He urged the media to follow the story closely, describing the destruction as a crime against public notices that had been duly permitted.
He clarified that he has not directly contacted the MCE, preferring to let the police handle the matter based on the suspects’ confessions.
Akwasi Acquah also mentioned a separate incident where another billboard congratulating former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on his electoral success was removed and relocated to the municipal assembly office, further fueling suspicions of political interference.
The People’s Forum’s nationwide billboard campaign, launched on February 17, 2026, features messages like “OUR SWEAT, THEIR EXCUSES, GH¢2,587 PER BAG? HOW DO WE SURVIVE?”.
According to the group, the campaign is to draw attention to farmers’ hardships amid the price cut.
Meanwhile, watch GhanaWeb’s exposé on the ‘dark side of Kayamata’ and its devastating impact
AM
