The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has showered praise on President John Dramani Mahama following his 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), describing the President’s leadership as transformative and the progress made under his administration as a beacon of hope.
Delivering his remarks on the floor of Parliament on Friday, February 27, shortly after the President’s address, Mr. Ayariga drew a sharp contrast between the current state of the nation and the situation inherited from the previous administration.
“The Ghana you inherited is as dark as the dark dresses that they [the Minority side] are wearing on the other side,” Mr. Ayariga stated, pointing across the aisle. “And the Ghana you speak of today is clearly as bright as the white dresses we [the Majority side] are wearing on this side.”
He asserted that the President’s account of the economy and ongoing policy reforms was an accurate reflection of reality. He further suggested that even the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, would be compelled to acknowledge visible development projects, specifically citing ongoing road construction in Winneba under the government’s flagship “Big Push” programme.
Defending the Cocoa Sector Adjustment
A significant portion of Mr. Ayariga’s address focused on defending the government’s recent decision to adjust the farmgate price of cocoa, a move that has sparked debate within the agricultural sector. He justified the reduction by comparing Ghana’s producer prices with those of its neighbour, Côte d’Ivoire.
“Main price was 2,800 CFA per kilogramme. When converted to Ghana cedis, this is about 980 to about 1,225 Ghana cedis per 64kg bag,” Mr. Ayariga explained. “In Ghana, farmers are paid 2,587 per 64kg bag, which is more than twice the price in Ivory Coast.”
Citing a Reuters report, he noted that Ivorian farmers are set to receive between 800 and 1,000 CFA francs per kilogramme for the upcoming mid-crop season starting March 1. In contrast, Ghanaian farmers continue to receive GH¢2,587 per 64kg bag. Mr. Ayariga argued this demonstrates the government’s continued commitment to supporting farmers amidst broader economic pressures, ensuring they remain among the best-compensated on the continent.
Linking Economic Policies to Citizen Relief
The Majority Leader also linked recent government initiatives to a tangible improvement in the cost of living, pointing to a decline in food prices. He suggested that ordinary Ghanaians are now better positioned to afford essential commodities like sugar and rice, signalling a welcome reprieve for households.
Looking ahead to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Mr. Ayariga expressed confidence that the Muslim community would offer prayers for the President, acknowledging his leadership as a source of pride.
“Your sterling leadership, leadership that has been recognised by the entire West Africa, that is why they unanimously elected you unopposed to lead in Africa. Ghanaians are proud of you,” he concluded.
The Majority Leader’s spirited defence comes on the heels of the government’s February 12 announcement adjusting the cocoa producer price to GH¢41,392 per tonne (GH¢2,587 per 64kg bag) for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season. The government has maintained that the adjustment, while difficult, was necessary to address liquidity challenges in the sector following a sharp decline in international cocoa prices.
