… Speaking before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, the Bawku Central MP described the Chieftaincy Institution as one of the most important constitutionally guaranteed establishments in Ghana. …
… Cassiel Ato Forson serves as Chairman, with members including MP for Bawku Central and Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, Chief of Tempane, HRM Cletus Abugri and the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga.
Majority Leader and Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga is scheduled to appear before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, 2026, for vetting over his nomination as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. …
… The President also nominated Bawku Central MP and outgoing Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. …
… The President also nominated Bawku Central MP and outgoing Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. …
… The rest included Mr Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Education, his Deputy, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, Mr James Agalga, MP for Builsa North Constituency, and Dr Thomas Winsum Anabah, MP for Garu, among other government offi …
… The Fund, to be managed by a committee comprising Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance; the Regional Minister; and Mr Mahama Ayariga, the outgoing Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, now Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Af …
… The rest included Mr Mahama Ayariga, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Education, his Deputy, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, Mr James Agalga, MP for Builsa North Constituency, and Dr Thomas Winsum Anabah, MP for Garu, among other government offi …
Former Speaker Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye has recounted how he intervened to block the previous Special Prosecutor's attempt to arrest Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga during his tenure, citing protection of constitutional rights and parliamentary privilege rather than political motivation.
Former Speaker Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye has recounted how he intervened to block the previous Special Prosecutor's attempt to arrest Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga during his tenure, citing protection of constitutional rights and parliamentary privilege rather than political motivation.
Former Speaker Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye has warned that the principle of separation of powers is undermined when the Executive uses state institutions to intimidate opposition members, and that parliamentary privilege and constitutional protections must be respected regardless of political party affiliation.
The National Queen Mothers' Platform has congratulated Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga on his appointment as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and called for greater attention to chieftaincy disputes and challenges facing Queen Mothers, including alleged intimidation by chiefs and exclusion from community decisions.
The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs pledged a crackdown on sanitation indiscipline in Accra, warning that polluters and property rate defaulters will face enforcement. He argued that the capital's waste management crisis can be solved if Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies aggressively collect their Internally Generated Funds and enforce the polluter-pay principle, with factories, businesses and residents paying for the waste they generate rather than relying on the District Assemblies Common Fund.
Mahama Ayariga, the outgoing Majority Leader and Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, described Minority Leader Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin as a man of honesty, fortitude and integrity during his ministerial vetting before Parliament's Appointments Committee, acknowledging the Minority Leader's assertive parliamentary interventions while noting his commitment to scrutinising government business.
The Minority in Parliament has formally objected to a three-day timetable for vetting three nominees for the Supreme Court—Justice Sophia Bernasko-Essah, Justice Amoako Asante, and former GBA President Tony Forson—arguing the compressed schedule does not allow sufficient scrutiny traditionally associated with apex court appointments. The Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the process cannot be "lawfully and safely" completed within the three remaining days of the current parliamentary sitting.
Millicent Amankwah Yeboah, 34, won the Sunyani West seat for the NDC in the December 2024 general election, defeating incumbent NPP MP Ignatius Baffour-Awuah with 26,828 votes (57.64% of valid votes cast). She transitioned to Parliament from a business management and consultancy background, serving previously as branch manager for Verna Mineral Water and Managing Director of MEA Connect Consultants.
Minister-designate Mahama Ayariga told Parliament that while he supports the National Cathedral idea for the Christian community given Ghana's religious character, he believes the project was "badly implemented" and has reservations about its location. He said he would engage Christian leaders and President Mahama on the matter if appointed.
Minister-designate Mahama Ayariga told Parliament's Appointments Committee he will seek increased government funding for the Chieftaincy Institution if approved, describing it as one of Ghana's most important constitutionally guaranteed establishments with significant legislative and adjudicatory responsibilities.
Minister-designate Mahama Ayariga told Parliament's Appointments Committee that while he sees nothing wrong with a national Christian place of worship, the cathedral project was "a good idea that was badly implemented." He said if approved as minister, he would engage Christian leaders to determine whether they still want the project completed and would help mobilize funds if the President agrees.
President Mahama inaugurated a committee to oversee a GH¢1 billion Bawku Revitalisation Fund, which will support infrastructure and development in the conflict-affected region as security improves. The government aims to restore Bawku's status as a major commercial centre and extend benefits across surrounding districts.
Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga will be vetted by Parliament's Appointments Committee on August 27, 2026, for his nomination as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. He must submit his CV and Tax Clearance Certificate by August 26.
The Speaker of Parliament has ruled that Hon. Mahama Ayariga remains Majority Leader, stating that a presidential communication announcing his replacement as Minister-designate was done in procedural error and has no legal effect. The Speaker clarified that the Presidency has no authority to determine Parliament's leadership.
President Mahama announced plans to expand Ghana's pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity with a five-year government plan aimed at reducing dependence on imported medicines, which currently account for about 70 per cent of medicines used in Ghana. The expansion is intended to reduce medicine costs, strengthen the provision of treatment under the Free Primary Health Care programme, and create export opportunities to neighbouring countries.
President Mahama has expressed hope that Bawku will regain its position as a major commercial hub if peace is sustained, noting that the cessation of conflict has created an opportunity for residents and businesses to return. He commended traditional rulers and residents for contributing to the prevailing peace and said restoration of peace is critical to rebuilding confidence and attracting professionals and businesses back to the area.
President Mahama announced a five-year plan to expand Ghana's pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on imported medicines, which currently account for 70 per cent of drugs used in the country. The plan, presented by the National Vaccine Institute, Ministry of Health, and Pharmaceutical Association of Ghana, aims to lower medicine costs and enable export to neighbouring countries.
A group in Bawku has rejected mathematical sets donated by Member of Parliament Mahama Ayariga, accusing him of selectively distributing the sets to only some students and of favoring the Kusasis over the Mamprusis in his parliamentary representation.