In a two-hour window, Ghana’s major media houses, including Metro TV, UTV, and Oman FM, sparked a flurry of online activity with a total of 1,295 comments across their social media platforms. These comments primarily revolved around the controversial 63.6% increase in the farm-gate price for cocoa, offering valuable insights into public sentiment.
Key Findings
Commenter Sentiments
A small minority representing 8 commenters expressed support for the new farm-gate prices, believing they were essential for the survival of cocoa businesses.
A total of 3 neutral commenters neither supported nor opposed the new prices but instead called for comprehensive stakeholder engagement to clarify any ambiguities.
A notable number representing 10 commenters disagreed with the new prices, accusing the government and the Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) of short-changing cocoa farmers.
The overwhelming majority of comments which is 1,274 commenters deviated from the discussion’s topic. These comments primarily consisted of product and service advertisements and general greetings to show hosts and guests.
Engagement Levels
Despite a substantial viewership on these media houses’ social media pages, active participation in the discussion remained relatively low. This suggests that while many people may have observed the conversation, they did not actively engage in it.
Content Quality
A significant portion of the comments lacked relevance to the discussed topic. This prevalence of off-topic content posed challenges in accurately gauging public sentiments regarding the cocoa price issue.
Public Opinion
From the comments gathered, it is evident that a segment of the Ghanaian population questions the adequacy of the new farm-gate prices. They call for further adjustments as inflation continues to rise. Additionally, there is a consensus among some that cocoa farmers need proper education about the new prices to dispel misconceptions and ensure they understand that the government is not short-changing them.
In summary, the responses collected from social media reflect a divided public opinion on the recent cocoa price hike in Ghana. While a majority believe that further adjustments are necessary, a significant number also view the new prices as a step in the right direction, given the current state of Ghana’s economy. The need for transparent communication and stakeholder engagement appears to be a common theme among commenters.
