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Tag: Mahama Ayariga

  • Cabinet Reshuffle: Zanetor Rawlings and Mahama Ayariga in, Ahmed Ibrahim and Ken Gilbert reassigned

    Cabinet Reshuffle: Zanetor Rawlings and Mahama Ayariga in, Ahmed Ibrahim and Ken Gilbert reassigned

    President John Dramani Mahama has submitted new ministerial nominations to Parliament for prior approval and announced key ministerial reassignments in a strategic cabinet shake-up.

    According to an official statement issued on Friday, August 7, 2026, by the Presidency Communications, the appointments were made in accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution through the Speaker of Parliament.

    Among the new nominees submitted to Parliament for approval, Dr. Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, MP, has been named for the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, while Mahama Ayariga, MP, has been nominated to head the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

    In addition to the new appointments, President Mahama reassigned two serving ministers:

    ● Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei takes over as the Minister for Defense.

    ● Ahmed Ibrahim, MP has been reassigned to lead the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.

    The official release was signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications.

    “President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 78(1), submitted the names of the following to Parliament, through the Speaker, for prior approval as Ministers of State,” stated Felix Kwakye Ofosu in the official presidential release.

    The communication further highlighted the executive reassignment of current portfolio holders, stating, “The President has also reassigned the following Ministers to the corresponding portfolios,” confirming the strategic re-alignment of key ministries including Defense and Works, Housing and Water Resources.

    The proposed appointments will now go through the Vetting Committee of Parliament for consideration and confirmation prior to full sworn-in duties.

     

  • Mahama Ayariga: 5-term MP assumes majority leader position today 

    Mahama Ayariga, Majority leader in Parliament

     

     

     

    Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    In a first reshuffle of Parliamentary leadership on the majority side, Hon Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, has assumed his leadership position as Majority leader today, January 23, 2025.

     

    He replaced the finance minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who has been the minority leader since the beginning of 2023 under the eighth parliament and majority leader since January 7, 2025, under the ninth Parliament.

     

    The five-term MP, representing Bawku Central on the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, eighth and ninth Parliaments comes to office with vast experience in Parliamentary business. In a statement issued to acknowledge his acceptance of the leadership position, the calm, unassuming but brainy legal practitioner pledged to draw inspiration from the legacies of former leaders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament as he assumes his role as Majority Leader.

     

    “I am guided by the illustrious precedents set by former distinguished leaders of our caucus. Twenty years ago, our current Speaker, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, led us. Then Hon. Cletus Avoka, Hon. Benjamin Kunbuor, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, and most recently, Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson. Their leadership styles will remain guideposts,” Ayariga said as he affirmed the NDC caucus’s commitment to pursuing President John Dramani Mahama’s agenda to “reset Ghana.”

     

    “As Leader of the House and Leader of Government Business, I assure the people of Ghana that, consistent with the overwhelming mandate given to President John Dramani Mahama and the 187 members of this caucus, we will rigorously pursue the agenda to reset Ghana,” he stated.

    Mahama Ayariga

    Mr Ayariga also emphasized a commitment to inclusivity, consensus-building, and national unity, vowing not to abuse the NDC’s numerical advantage in Parliament.

     

    “As President John Dramani Mahama has said, these overwhelming numbers will not be abused. Even though we are an overwhelming majority, we will strive for inclusivity, consensus-building, and deeply uphold the principles of probity and accountability in the fulfillment of the dreams of our founding fathers. We will foster national unity, advance democracy, and ensure equitable development.”

     

    Mr Ayariga is expected to bring a fresh, pragmatic approach to leading the Majority Caucus.

     

    Over the years, he has earned a reputation as a vocal advocate for his constituents and a key contributor to legislative debates. His leadership style is anticipated to prioritize fostering unity within the Majority Caucus while advancing the government’s legislative agenda.

     

    The reshuffle has also significantly changed other key parliamentary roles. Cape Coast South MP, Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, succeeded Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah as Deputy Majority Leader, following Buah’s nomination as Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. Ricketts-Hagan, recognized for his strategic insights and leadership acumen, is expected to work closely with Ayariga to ensure seamless coordination of parliamentary business.

    Ricketts-Hagan, Deputy Majority leader

    Also, Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor, the Member of Parliament of South Dayi in the Volta Region replaces Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Minister for Roads and Highways, as the Majority Chief Whip.

    Rockson Defeamekpor

    There is also speculation about a potential promotion for Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, the MP for Ada and current Second Deputy Whip. Reports suggest she may be elevated to the position of First Deputy Whip.