Mahama Ayariga

Also known as: Mr Mahama Ayariga · Hon. Mahama Ayariga · Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga · Mr. Ayariga · Abdulai Ayariga

Bawku MP appointed Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs in August 2026 cabinet reshuffle.

2026-04-262026-08-23

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

August 2026
9 AugJoy Online
Former Tarkwa MP Mireku Duker has raised questions about whether newly appointed Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister, Mahama Ayariga has sufficient grassroots political experience for the role. …
Mireku Duker questions Mahama Ayariga’s grassroots experience for Local Government Ministry role
7 AugJoy Online
… The first discussion will examine the changes in government, including the movement of Kenneth Gilbert Adjei and Ahmed Ibrahim, alongside the appointment of Mahama Ayariga and Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings to new ministerial responsibilities. …
This Saturday on Prime Insight: Ministerial reshuffle, democracy debate take centre stage
7 AugJoy Online
… Dr Draman made the remarks during an interview on Top Story on Joy FM, following the nomination of Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs by President John Dramani Mahama. …
Majority leadership change ‘shocking’ – ACEPA’s boss
7 AugThe Ghanaian Times
… Mahama Ayariga, MP for Bawku Central, has also been nominated asMinister of State at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. …
President Mahama nominates Zanetor Rawlings, Ayariga as Ministers of State in latest Government shake-up
7 AugJoy Online
… ll overrun him.” He warned that the Minority Caucus would take advantage of any weaknesses if Mr Agalga failed to establish himself. “If he’s not on his feet, the 87 will overrun him and overrun him very, very quickly.” Mr Nitiwul also commented on the departure of Mahama Ayariga …
Agalga is tough but lacks leadership experience for Majority Leader role — Nitiwul
7 AugJoy Online
Builsa North Member of Parliament James Agalga is the leading contender to become the next Majority Leader of Parliament following Mahama Ayariga’s appointment to President John Dramani Mahama’s cabinet, sources within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus have told MyJoy …
James Agalga tipped to replace Mahama Ayariga as NDC Majority Leader
7 AugThe Chronicle
… Acting under Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires new ministerial appointments to receive prior parliamentary approval, the President submitted the names of Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, MP for Klottey-Korle, and Mahama Ayariga, MP, to the Speaker of Parliament. …
Zenator Agyeman Rawlings finally joins Mahama’s government
7 AugJoy Online
… Meanwhile, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has been reassigned to head the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, subject to parliamentary approval. …
Mahama names Kenneth Gilbert Adjei as Defence Minister to replace late Omane Boamah
7 AugJoy Online
… The President has also nominated Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, while reassigning two other ministers to new portfolios. …
Mahama names Zanetor Rawlings for Environment, nominates Ayariga to Local Government in first reshuffle
July 2026
31 JulDaily Guide
… er adequate stakeholder consultations had been conducted, warning that rushing the Bill through Parliament could attract public criticism and undermine confidence in the legislative process. *Majority Defence* Defending the urgency of the Bill, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga …
Parliament Passes New Cocoa Board Bill

Business

Ghana plans to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce imports

The News

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.

17 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 17 August

Ghana plans to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing to reduce imports
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.
17 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Sustained peace will restore Bawku commercial status, Mahama says
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.
17 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 14 August

Mahama reiterates commitment to link all regional capitals with roads
President Mahama has reiterated his government's commitment to linking all regional capitals with good roads as part of the "Big Push" road programme, designed to improve connectivity and facilitate economic activities. He inspected ongoing construction on the Chuchuliga-Chiana section of the Chuchuliga-Tumu-Wa road, a 260-kilometre stretch spanning the Upper East and Upper West regions.
14 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Mahama outlines five-year plan to boost local medicine production
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.
14 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 13 August

Mahama urges youth to lead Ghana's digital transformation
President John Dramani Mahama has challenged Ghanaian youth to move from being consumers of technology to becoming creators and innovators, saying emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, digital commerce and automation present major opportunities for jobs and sustainable livelihoods.
13 August 2026 · Daily Guide →

Tuesday 11 August

U.S. court convicts former Goldman Sachs executive on FCPA charges
A federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Asante Kwaku Berko, a dual U.S.-Ghanaian citizen and former Goldman Sachs executive director, on all counts of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a substantive FCPA violation, and conspiracy to commit money laundering related to financing and construction of a power plant in Ghana between 2014 and 2017. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Berko and co-conspirators paid and conspired to pay more than $1 million in bribes to Ghanaian officials to secure the deal.
11 August 2026 · The Chronicle →

Monday 10 August

Mahama names Ayariga, Agyeman-Rawlings as ministers, reshuffles portfolio
President Mahama has reshuffled his cabinet, appointing Bawku MP Mahama Ayariga to Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and Korley Klottey lawmaker Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings to Environment, Science and Technology. Two other ministers were reassigned: Kenneth Gilbert Adjei moved from Works and Housing to Defence, and Ibrahim Ahmed moved to Works and Housing from Local Government.
10 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Mahama will reassign ministers based on performance and suitability
Former Tamale Central MP Inusah Fuseini says President Mahama will continue to assess and reassign government ministers based on their performance and ability to deliver, noting that ministers are under "constant watch" and will be moved if the President thinks they can better serve government elsewhere.
10 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Sunday 9 August

Lawyer suggests Ayariga's anti-LGBTQ+ Bill stance prompted removal
Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has suggested that former Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga's position on the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill may have influenced his removal, noting that Ayariga's stance—that Parliament has passed the Bill and it should proceed to the President—conflicts with positions expressed by the Speaker of Parliament and President Mahama. Kpebu stressed his view was analytical and not a confirmed reason from the government or NDC.
9 August 2026 · Joy Online →
New Majority Leader Agalga won't tolerate integrity attacks
Political analyst Dr Jonathan Asante Otchere says newly appointed Majority Leader James Agalga, MP for Builsa North and former Deputy Minister for the Interior, is calm but uncompromising when his integrity is questioned. Agalga assumed the role following the appointment of former Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga to a ministerial position.
9 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Duker questions Ayariga's grassroots experience for Local Government Ministry
Former Tarkwa MP Mireku Duker has questioned whether newly appointed Local Government Minister Mahama Ayariga has sufficient grassroots political experience for the role, arguing that the ministry requires a leader with strong understanding of local politics and community-level governance rather than just parliamentary experience.
9 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 7 August

Prime Insight programme examines ministerial reshuffle, democracy governance
A Joy Prime programme on Saturday, August 8, 2026, will discuss President Mahama's ministerial reshuffle—including Kenneth Gilbert Adjei's appointment as Defence Minister and moves of other officials—and renewed claims of threats to democratic governance, featuring political commentators and analysts.
7 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Majority leadership change 'shocking'—ACEPA head warns of governance risks
The Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs has called the anticipated change in Parliament's Majority leadership "shocking," warning that frequent reshuffles of senior parliamentary figures risk undermining the separation of powers and disrupting legislative business. The remarks follow the nomination of current Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
7 August 2026 · Joy Online →
President Mahama nominates Rawlings and Ayariga as Ministers of State
President John Dramani Mahama has announced ministerial nominations and reassignments, including Dr. Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings as Minister of State at the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, and Mahama Ayariga as Minister of State at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. The changes also include the reassignment of Kenneth Gilbert Adjei to the Ministry of Defence and Ahmed Ibrahim to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
7 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Agalga tough but lacks leadership experience for Majority Leader—Nitiwul
Former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul said Builsa North MP James Agalga, the leading contender for Majority Leader, is a capable and resilient politician but lacks the leadership experience that senior MPs like Afenyo-Markin, Annoh-Dompreh, Appiagyei and Iddrisu possess from years in their positions.
7 August 2026 · Joy Online →
James Agalga tipped for NDC Majority Leader role
Builsa North MP James Agalga is the leading contender to replace Mahama Ayariga as NDC Majority Leader following Ayariga's appointment as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, according to NDC Caucus sources.
7 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Mahama nominates two MPs and reassigns two ministers
President John Mahama has nominated Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings for the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology and Mahama Ayariga for the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, both subject to parliamentary vetting. He also reassigned Kenneth Gilbert Adjei to Defence and Ahmed Ibrahim to Works, Housing and Water Resources, filling vacancies created by a helicopter crash last year.
7 August 2026 · The Chronicle →
Mahama names Kenneth Gilbert Adjei as Defence Minister
President John Dramani Mahama has reassigned Kenneth Gilbert Adjei from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources to the Ministry of Defence to replace the late Dr Edward Omane Boamah, who died in a military helicopter crash. The nomination has been submitted to Parliament for approval in accordance with the 1992 Constitution.
7 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Mahama nominates Zanetor Rawlings as Environment Minister
President John Dramani Mahama has nominated Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, Klottey Korle MP, as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, and Mahama Ayariga, Bawku Central MP, as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. The nominations were submitted to Parliament on Friday, August 7, 2026, and require parliamentary approval before the appointees can assume office.
7 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 31 July

Parliament passes Ghana Cocoa Board Bill ahead 2026 season
Parliament passed the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026 under certificate of urgency to establish a new legal framework for the Ghana Cocoa Board before the 2026/2027 cocoa season begins in September. The law will regulate the cocoa value chain, support cultivation, and undertake buying, selling and export of cocoa, while implementing reforms including a domestic financing model and guaranteed payment of 70 percent of the Free-on-Board price to cocoa farmers.
31 July 2026 · Daily Guide →

Monday 27 July

Ayariga condemns Habib's remark about market women attacking Forson
During Parliament debate on the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga attacked Deputy Minority Chief Whip Habib Iddrisu for stating that market women would have attacked Finance Minister Dr Ato Forson if he visited markets. Ayariga described Iddrisu's comments as "irresponsible" and "reprehensible," saying such remarks had no place in the country's law-making chamber.
27 July 2026 · The Chronicle →
First Deputy Speaker warns MPs against offensive parliamentary language
The First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor cautioned MPs against making offensive or misleading comments during parliamentary proceedings, citing violations of Standing Orders and rules that could lead to disorderliness. The caution followed comments by First Deputy Minority Whip Habib Iddrisu about market traders' reactions to the Finance Minister's mid-year budget statement.
27 July 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →

Saturday 25 July

Parliament to adjourn indefinitely on July 31
Parliament is expected to adjourn sine die on July 31, the Leader of Government Business stated. The proposed Saturday sitting on July 25 has been cancelled.
25 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 24 July

President Mahama jokes about former Finance Minister Ofori-Atta's return
President John Dramani Mahama humorously urged former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return to Ghana, saying Ofori-Atta's children miss him and assuring him of security and due process if he comes back. The remarks, which drew laughter, raise questions about whether assurances can address public concerns over past events.
24 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Majority Leader demands former Finance Minister Ofori-Atta's return
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga called for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return from the United States to account for Ghana's debt burden and alleged economic mismanagement under the previous NPP administration. Ayariga contrasted this with the current Finance Minister's performance, claiming the economy is now being managed without burdensome taxes or excessive borrowing.
24 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 23 July

Majority Leader tells Minority to challenge Wontumi conviction in court
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has dismissed Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin's claims of political persecution, insisting that the courts—not the Attorney General—are responsible for criminal convictions and urging the Minority to challenge court decisions through appropriate legal channels instead of attacking judges.
23 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Majority Leader backs Finance Minister's Mid-Year Budget Review
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga commended Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson's 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review, saying it demonstrates the economy is recovering and assuring parliamentary support for related legislative measures. Dr Forson stated that improved investor confidence has led international capital markets to show renewed interest in Ghana, though government is not rushing to borrow.
23 July 2026 · Joy Online →
Majority Leader demands ex-Finance Minister Ofori-Atta return to account for debt
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has called for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to return from the United States to account for Ghana's debt and economic mismanagement under the previous administration. Ayariga contrasted the previous government's heavy borrowing and taxation with the current Finance Minister's approach of abolishing taxes while managing the economy.
23 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 21 July

80 CSOs call for publication of full constitutional review report
A coalition of 80 civil society organisations has welcomed government progress on constitutional reforms but is calling for immediate publication of the full Constitutional Review Committee report to enable informed public discussion and engagement.
21 July 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 20 July

Minority demands briefing on Ghana-South Africa ties after businessman's death
Ghana's Parliamentary Minority has called on the Foreign Minister to brief Parliament on diplomatic relations with South Africa following the killing of Ghanaian businessman Bashiru Isak in Cape Town, citing concerns over attacks on foreign nationals in that country.
20 July 2026 · Joy Online →