James Agalga Esq.

Also known as: Hon. James Agalga Esq. · Mr Agalga · Builsa North Member of Parliament James Agalga · Mr James Agalga · the new Majority Leader · Honourable James Agalga · Hon. James Agalga · Builsa North MP James Agalga · Majority Leader James Agalga · Mr. Agalga

Majority Leader in Parliament, NDC MP for Builsa North, overseeing drug enforcement and security policy response.

2026-06-162026-10-07

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

September 2026
4 SeptJoy Online
Ghana’s relative peace in a region facing growing violent extremism should not create a false sense of security, Majority Leader James Agalga has warned, calling for stronger measures to protect the country’s borders. …
Ghana cannot afford complacency over extremist threats – Agalga
1 SeptJoy Online
… The reshuffle also saw James Agalga take over from Mr Ayariga as Majority Leader in Parliament. …
Mahama Ayariga calls for major overhaul of Ghana’s waste management system
August 2026
30 AugJoy Online
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has assured James Agalga, the new Majority Leader, of his support in Parliament, but said his ultimate objective is to transform the Minority Caucus into the Majority. …
My job is to turn Minority into Majority – Afenyo-Markin
29 AugJoy Online
… Competent, qualified Seconding the motion, the Majority Leader, James Agalga, said all five nominees were highly competent and qualified to serve on the Council. …
5 Fiscal Council members cleared
29 AugJoy Online
The Member of Parliament for Builsa North, James Agalga, has assumed the mantle of Majority Leader in Parliament, with an assurance to work hard to foster a deeper sense of consensus-building between the Majority and Minority Caucuses. …
Agalga vows spirited, consensus-driven leadership
28 AugJoy Online
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Builsa North, James Agalga, has officially assumed office as the new Majority Leader in Parliament. …
Agalga assumes office as Majority Leader, pledges consensus building
27 AugJoy Online
… with which he conducted their interactions. “I want to thank you for the forthrightness with which you have dealt with me as the Majority Leader.” Mr Ayariga also expressed hope that he would be able to establish a similarly productive relationship with his successor James Agalga …
Ayariga praises Afenyo-Markin for integrity and forthrightness in Parliament
26 AugThe Ghanaian Times
The incoming Majority Leader of Parliament, James Agalga, has indicated that consensus-building will be his hallmark, but he will remain firm and decisive as he prepares to lead government business in the legislative assembly. …
Consensus building will be my hallmark – James Agalga
25 AugJoy Online
… His comments follow calls by incoming Majority Leader James Agalga for a comprehensive probe into the programme from its inception to date. …
Independent voices must be part of gold programme probe – Dr Rasheed Draman
25 AugJoy Online
… His comments follow calls by incoming Majority Leader James Agalga for a comprehensive investigation into alleged losses associated with the programme from its inception to date. …
ACEPA backs full probe of Domestic Gold Purchase Programme from inception

Politics

Akuapem North MP urges bipartisan probe into cocaine seizures

The News

Akuapem North MP Samuel Awuku says the government should not view calls for a bipartisan parliamentary investigation into recent cocaine seizures as an attack, arguing the scale of the haul—including 3.9 tonnes seized by French authorities from a Ghana-bound container—requires a national response. The Minority has filed a motion for parliamentary inquiry, but the Majority argues law enforcement should be allowed to complete their investigations first.

29 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 29 September

Akuapem North MP urges bipartisan probe into cocaine seizures
Akuapem North MP Samuel Awuku says the government should not view calls for a bipartisan parliamentary investigation into recent cocaine seizures as an attack, arguing the scale of the haul—including 3.9 tonnes seized by French authorities from a Ghana-bound container—requires a national response. The Minority has filed a motion for parliamentary inquiry, but the Majority argues law enforcement should be allowed to complete their investigations first.
29 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Akuapem North MP urges bipartisan probe into 3.9-tonne cocaine haul
Samuel Awuku, MP for Akuapem North, says the government should view calls for a bipartisan parliamentary investigation into recent cocaine seizures as a national crisis requiring cross-party response, not as a partisan attack. The Minority has filed a motion for a parliamentary inquiry following French authorities' seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of cocaine at the Port of Dunkirk from a container that departed Ghana, though the Majority argues law enforcement should complete ongoing investigations first.
29 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 25 September

NACOC arrests surge 197 percent in 2025 under Mahama
Ghana's Narcotics Control Commission recorded 217 arrests involving 165 cases in 2025, up from 73 arrests in 2024, alongside seizures of 1,497.75 kilogrammes of narcotics valued at $5.24 million and GH¢6.93 million in cash. The Majority Caucus attributes the increase to institutional reforms, inter-agency collaboration, and expanded operational presence across all 16 regions.
25 September 2026 · Daily Guide →
NDC Majority attributes 197% drug arrest jump to stronger enforcement
Ghana's NDC Majority Caucus has credited a sharp increase in recent narcotics arrests and seizures to strategic reforms under the NDC administration, and is calling for stronger collaboration among security and law enforcement agencies to dismantle drug trafficking networks.
25 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 24 September

Majority Leader opposes parliamentary probe into cocaine busts
The Majority Leader in Parliament says a parliamentary investigation into recent cocaine busts is unnecessary while law enforcement agencies are completing their ongoing investigations. He argues that parallel investigations by separate bodies could lead to conflicting findings and uncertainty about which conclusions to rely on.
24 September 2026 · Joy Online →
NACOC arrests increased to 217 in 2025 from 73 in 2024
Ghana's Majority in Parliament highlighted a rise in narcotics arrests by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), citing 217 arrests across 165 cases in 2025 compared with 73 arrests in 2024 under the previous administration — a 197 percent increase in enforcement.
24 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Parliamentary Majority urges security agencies to collaborate on drug trafficking
The Majority caucus in Parliament has called for stronger cooperation among security and law enforcement agencies, including the Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and Ports and Harbour Authority, to effectively combat drug trafficking networks in Ghana.
24 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana expects more drug trafficking arrests, prosecutions ahead
Majority Leader James Agalga said Ghana should expect more arrests and prosecutions as law enforcement agencies intensify efforts to combat drug trafficking, following the seizure of nearly 3.9 tonnes of suspected cocaine by French Customs at the Port of Dunkirk in September. The government has introduced measures including improved detection capabilities, increased use of technology, and a dedicated court to handle drug-related cases.
24 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Majority blames under-resourcing of NACOC for drug-trafficking challenges
The Majority in Parliament has blamed years of inadequate resourcing of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) under the Akufo-Addo administration for Ghana's narcotics trafficking challenges. Majority Leader James Agalga cited under-resourcing, understaffing, and a 2018 decision removing NACOC from routine port inspections as contributing to institutional neglect.
24 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 4 September

Ghana records over 300 extremist recruitment arrests since 2023
Security agencies in Ghana arrested over 300 people linked to alleged extremist recruitment attempts along the northern border between 2023 and 2025, and recorded 47 cross-border incursions during the same period, according to Majority Leader James Agalga. He called for stronger border security and intelligence-gathering mechanisms to prevent extremist networks from gaining a foothold in the country.
4 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Ghana must strengthen security against extremist threats, Agalga warns
Majority Leader James Agalga has warned that Ghana's relative peace should not breed complacency, citing 47 cross-border incursions and over 300 arrests linked to extremist recruitment attempts along the northern border between 2023 and 2025. He called for stronger border protection, intelligence gathering, and coordination among security agencies to counter transnational threats.
4 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 1 September

Mahama Ayariga calls for major waste management system overhaul
Newly appointed Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga has called for a major overhaul of Ghana's waste management system to make collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal more efficient, following a tour of waste management facilities in the Greater Accra Region.
1 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 30 August

Afenyo-Markin pledges scrutiny, vows to build Minority to Majority
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin assured the new Majority Leader James Agalga of support and promised well-researched parliamentary debates, while emphasizing his primary objective is to strengthen the Minority Caucus and eventually secure a parliamentary majority.
30 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 29 August

Parliament approves five members for Fiscal Council
Parliament has approved five members nominated to serve on the Fiscal Council, which is mandated to promote fiscal discipline, strengthen financial oversight, and provide independent expert analysis to support sound decision-making in public financial management. Chaired by Dr Emmanuel Oteng Kumah, the council is expected to monitor implementation of the national budget and ensure government expenditure remains within sustainable limits.
29 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Builsa North MP assumes Majority Leader role, pledges consensus
James Agalga, the newly appointed Majority Leader in Parliament, has committed to fostering consensus-building between the Majority and Minority Caucuses and to working on the President's reset agenda. He said he would lead with humility, consult colleagues, and make compromises when necessary to enable Parliament to deliver on its legislative mandate.
29 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 28 August

NDC's Agalga assumes Majority Leader role in Parliament
James Agalga, NDC Member of Parliament for Builsa North, has officially assumed office as the new Majority Leader following the appointment of former Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. Agalga pledged to adopt a consensus-driven approach, prioritising consultation and compromise with the Minority Caucus to ensure Parliament effectively discharges its responsibilities and accomplishes the President's Reset Agenda.
28 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 27 August

Ayariga commends Afenyo-Markin's integrity in Parliament roles
Minister-designate Mahama Ayariga praised Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin for his integrity, honesty, and forthrightness before the Appointments Committee, noting their constructive working relationship despite opposing political sides. Ayariga said he respected Afenyo-Markin's fulfillment of his parliamentary duties and the openness with which they conducted interactions.
27 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 26 August

Agalga pledges consensus-building as incoming Majority Leader
James Agalga, the incoming Majority Leader of Parliament, says he will prioritize consensus-building while remaining firm and decisive on matters of statecraft. He pledged respect for minority views and expressed hope that government business would not require the majority to rely solely on its numbers.
26 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Tuesday 25 August

Independent voices must join parliamentary gold probe, ACEPA chief urges
The Executive Director of the Africa Center for Parliamentary Affairs has called for eminent Ghanaians to be included in any parliamentary investigation into Ghana's Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, arguing that independent involvement would ensure credibility and prevent the inquiry from becoming a partisan contest between the NDC and NPP.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →
ACEPA urges comprehensive probe of Domestic Gold Purchase Programme
The Executive Director of the Africa Center for Parliamentary Affairs has called for an independent and transparent parliamentary investigation into Ghana's Domestic Gold Purchase Programme from its inception, arguing the inquiry should extend beyond the Ghana Gold Board period and include non-parliamentary voices given the programme's significant financial stakes.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Speaker Bagbin rules Mahama's Agalga announcement violated parliamentary procedure
Speaker Alban Bagbin has ruled that President Mahama's announcement of Builsa North MP James Agalga as Majority Leader did not follow parliamentary procedure. Under Parliament's Standing Orders, changes in leadership of the Majority or Minority Caucus must be formally communicated to the Speaker by the political party's General Secretary, not the President.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →
NDC formally appoints James Agalga as Majority Leader
The NDC has formally notified the Speaker of Parliament of James Agalga's appointment as Majority Leader, replacing Mahama Ayariga. The appointment, communicated by NDC General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey on August 24, 2026, takes immediate effect and follows consultations between party leadership and the Presidency.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Agalga declines stance on extortion allegation as OSP investigates
Incoming Majority Leader James Agalga has refused to take sides on extortion allegations involving Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin and GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi, citing the Office of the Special Prosecutor's preliminary investigation and Afenyo-Markin's legal action. He called for restraint from all sides while investigations and court processes proceed.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Agalga calls for restraint as extortion allegations face court review
Incoming Majority Leader James Agalga has characterized extortion allegations against Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin as serious, but declined to comment on their merits since the matter is already before the courts and the Office of the Special Prosecutor. He urged all parties to allow state institutions to handle the case and called for a ceasefire in public exchanges to avoid interfering with ongoing processes.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Agalga urges restraint as extortion allegations engulf Parliament
Incoming Majority Leader James Agalga has called for calm during an escalating dispute over extortion allegations involving Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, saying the matter should be left to courts and state agencies to investigate rather than allowing allegations to escalate further. Legal and institutional processes, including preliminary investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor, have already been triggered.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Incoming Majority Leader backs early probe into Ghana Gold Board
James Agalga, the incoming Majority Leader, has backed an early parliamentary probe into Ghana Gold Board operations, saying it will address concerns raised by the Minority. He said Parliament could use either an ad hoc committee or the Public Accounts Committee, and that key documents including an Auditor-General's report and IMF report already contain answers to questions about GoldBod.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Incoming Majority Leader defends Gold Board against probe calls
James Agalga, incoming Majority Leader, has defended the Ghana Gold Board against calls for a parliamentary probe into alleged losses under the domestic gold purchase programme, saying the board is prepared for scrutiny and accountability. He questioned whether a probe limited to 2025 would provide a complete picture, noting that issues surrounding the programme predate the board's current form, and cited the Auditor-General's 2025 report as containing no adverse findings against GoldBod.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Agalga demands full audit of Ghana's gold trading scheme
Incoming Majority Leader James Agalga says any Parliament probe into the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme should not be limited to 2025, but should cover the scheme's origins from 2021 and examine how gold purchases were conducted under previous administrations, particularly given an agreement between PMMC and the Bank of Ghana that dates to 2023 and remains in force.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Incoming Majority Leader denies Gold Board losses claim
Incoming Majority Leader James Agalga has contested claims that the Gold Board incurred losses under its domestic gold purchasing operations, stating instead that it recorded a surplus of around 4 billion plus and is cited in the Auditor-General's report. The statement comes as Parliament's Minority pushes for an ad hoc committee investigation into what it says are losses from the government's gold trading scheme.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Incoming Majority Leader defends Ghana gold purchase strategy
Incoming Majority Leader James Agalga has defended the government's domestic gold purchase strategy, arguing that the Ghana Gold Board has played a key role in achieving economic gains in reserves, currency stability and inflation. Agalga said existing reports from the Auditor-General, IMF, and agreements between the Precious Minerals Marketing Company and Bank of Ghana already address questions raised by the Minority about the programme's operations and losses.
25 August 2026 · Joy Online →