Ministerial Reshuffle: Mahama Ayariga Appointed Local Government Minister-Designate

• President John Dramani Mahama announced a ministerial reshuffle on Friday, August 7, 2026, shifting key portfolios across government
• Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has been designated Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs in the reshuffle
• Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has been nominated as Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
• Abdul Karim, a member of the ruling NDC and a board member of the Student Loan Trust Fund, shared his views in an interview with YEN.com.gh

President John Dramani Mahama has undertaken a ministerial reshuffle, reassigning key portfolios and nominating new ministers for parliamentary approval.

In a statement issued by the Presidency on Friday, August 7, 2026, Mahama Ayariga, who currently serves as the Majority Leader in Parliament, was designated as the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

The move comes after the reassignment of Ahmed Ibrahim, who previously served as the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.

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President Mahama has also nominated Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, as the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

The President has formally communicated the changes to Parliament through the Speaker, in accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires parliamentary approval for ministerial appointments.

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Ayariga’s background key to resolving Bawku conflict

Reacting to the appointment in an interview with YEN.com.gh, Abdul Karim, a member of the ruling NDC and a board member of the Student Loan Trust Fund said Mahama Ayariga’s appointment as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs was a step in the right direction.

According to him, the Bawku Central MP had what it took to help manage the long-standing Bawku conflict due to his Kusasi-Mamprusi tribal background.

"You, Mahama Ayariga is both a Kusasi and Mamprusi, and so I believe he can effectively manage the chieftaincy dispute between the Mamprusis and the Kusasis," he said.

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Ghana’s Parliament ranked highly in Africa

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported that Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga had claimed that Ghana’s Parliament was ranked the second most open legislature in Africa.

He attributed the achievement to ongoing reforms, including increased media engagement and the introduction of live broadcasts of parliamentary proceedings.

Ayariga expressed optimism that further improvements would help Ghana’s Parliament secure the top position in future continental rankings.

Source: YEN.com.gh