A striking contrast has unfolded in Parliament Thursday as Members of Parliament (MPs) from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) arrived dressed in black clothes, while their counterparts from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) donned all-white attires.

This symbolic display coincides with President John Dramani Mahama’s delivery of his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) since assuming office for a second term.

The address, highly anticipated by Ghanaians, is expected to outline Mahama’s ambitious “Resetting Ghana” agenda, which aims to tackle economic challenges, create jobs, and restore stability.

With the country facing rising inflation, high unemployment, and economic distress, citizens and key stakeholders, including business leaders and civil society groups, are keenly awaiting concrete solutions from the president.

A central theme of Mahama’s address is likely to be his 24-hour economy policy, which he has championed as a transformative initiative to drive industrial growth and boost employment.

This policy, along with measures to address the soaring cost of living, wage disparities, and infrastructure development, is expected to take centre stage in his speech.

While NDC MPs’ white attire symbolises hope and celebration of Mahama’s leadership, the NPP’s choice of black appear to signify dissatisfaction or protest against his less than two months administration.

As the president takes the podium, all eyes remain on the direction his government will take to steer Ghana through its current economic challenges.