Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has praised President John Mahama for what he described as transformative leadership.

This was moments after the President delivered the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament.

Contributing on the floor of the House on Friday, February 27, Mr Ayariga said the country the President inherited and the Ghana he now speaks about represent a sharp contrast.

“The Ghana you inherited is as dark as the dark dresses that they [Minority side] are wearing on the other side. And the Ghana you speak of today is clearly as bright as the white dresses we [Majority side] are wearing on this side,” he said.

He insisted that the President’s account of the state of the economy and ongoing reforms was factual, adding that even the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, would attest to visible development projects, including road works under the “Big Push” programme in Winneba.

Touching on cocoa pricing, Mr Ayariga referenced international reports indicating that the Ivory Coast would pay cocoa farmers between 800 and 1,000 CFA per kilogramme for the mid-crop season starting March 1, compared to its main crop price of 2,800 CFA per kilogramme.

" The main price was 2,800 CFA per Kg. When converted to Ghana cedis, this is about 9,80 to about 1,225 Ghana cedis per 64 kg bag. In Ghana, farmers are paid 2,587 per 64 kg bag, which is more than twice the price in Ivorry Coast," he said.

The Majority Leader also linked recent economic developments to falling food prices, saying many Ghanaians can now afford essential commodities such as sugar and rice.

Referencing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, he expressed confidence that Muslims across the country would pray for blessings for the President, describing his leadership as one that has earned recognition across West Africa.

"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 added.