Mahama Ayariga takes over as Majority Leader

The Majority in Parliament has announced the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, as its new Leader as part of changes to reflect the current status of the side.

Mr Ayariga was appointed along with four other members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus by the National Executive Council.

The other new leaders of the Majority Caucus are the MP for Cape Coast South, Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan, as the Deputy Majority Leader, and the MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, as the Majority Chief Whip.

The others on the Majority front bench are the MP for Ada, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, as the First Deputy Majority Whip, and the MP for Bia East, Richard Acheampong, as the Second Deputy Majority Whip.

The transition in leadership was announced by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who informed the House that he had received a communication from the National Secretariat of the NDC about the changes in leadership.

The experienced Mr Ayariga takes over the reins from MP for Ajumako Enyan Esiam, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, whose leadership of the mainly NDC side, now complemented by four independent MPs, spanned two years dating back to January 24, 2023.

As a front bench legislator for the NDC, the Bawku Central MP had earlier occupied ministerial portfolios and also served as Presidential Spokesperson when Professor J.E.A. Mills assumed the presidency in 2009.

Then President-elect, John Mahama, appointed him on the Transition Team upon the party’s electoral victory in the December 2024 elections.

After Dr Forson’s appointment as Minister of Finance, along with others that affected the leadership of the Majority, the composition of the caucus’ front bench required re-arrangement.

Mr Ricketts-Hagan succeeds MP for Ellembele, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who has been nominated to head the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources while Mr Dafeamekpor takes over from the new Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwame Governs Agbodza.

Mrs Cudjoe-Ghansah succeeds Ahmed Ibrahim, who has been appointed as Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

The transition in leadership was announced by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, when he informed the House that he had received a communication from the National Secretariat of the NDC about the changes in leadership.

Acceptance speech

In his acceptance speech, Mr Ayariga called on legislators of the ninth Parliament to ensure that their engagement in Parliament gave better lives to the people they represented.

He said as leaders, they had an abiding duty to ensure they always stood on the side of the people whose interests must be their ultimate focus.

“Our duty as legislators is to ensure that we do all we can for the betterment of the people of Ghana,” he said.

Mr Ayariga said as representatives of the people, they must always be guided by the interest of the people.

“That way, we will carve a place for ourselves in the annals of our dear country,” he said and personally pledged to keep and dutifully discharge his responsibility faithfully as the Leader of the House.

“As Leader of the House, I am committed to working hard to ensure that members work in an environment that is more conducive, convenient and friendly,” he said.

The five-term legislator said it was an honour and a privilege to serve in his new role as Majority Leader and the Leader of Government Business in Parliament.

He said with humility and profound gratitude to President John Mahama, the leadership of the NDC, chaired by Johnson Asiedu Nketia, and his colleagues in Parliament, he wholeheartedly accepted the appointment.

He said he was also aware that his new role was onerous, but insisted that “I intend to discharge it to the best of my ability”.

Appreciation  

Mr Ayariga also expressed appreciation to the immediate past leadership of the Majority Caucus and the members of the caucus for the unity and oneness of purpose.

He explained that his main focus in the House would be to pursue the manifesto and programmes of President Mahama, a manifesto and a commitment that had received the overwhelming support of Ghanaians.

“Mr Speaker, we will do this by passing good laws that seek to further those commitments, and we will use our various committees and our oversight responsibilities to ensure that the institutions of governance work and work for the people of Ghana once again,” he said.

Also expressing appreciation to the Minority for their cooperation in the previous Parliament, Mr Ayariga gave the assurance that despite their dwindled numbers, “I believe in accommodation, consensus building and discipline, orderliness and working together”.

“I look forward to working with you and to ensure that the good people of Ghana are well served by this Parliament,” he said. 

Speaker’s support

The Leader expressed his belief that he would succeed in his new responsibility, given that Mr Bagbin, whom he had worked with and learned so much from, remained the Speaker of the House.

“The main reason why I will succeed is because your very good self is still in this Chamber,” he said to the Speaker.

He recounted that when he joined Parliament 20 years ago, Mr Bagbin was the leader of a caucus he was a member of and that he learned so much from him.

I wish you well

Prior to bowing out, Dr Forson expressed appreciation to the President and the leadership of the NDC and his colleague MPs for their unwavering support and collaboration during his role as leader of the side.

In his capacity as the new Finance Minister, Dr Forson pledged to work tirelessly for the people of Ghana, ensuring that their needs and aspirations remained at the forefront of the government’s agenda.  

“Let us unite in the pursuit of these shared goals,” he said and wished the new Majority leadership the very best.  

“May they be guided by wisdom and grace as they steer the affairs of this House and oversee the successful conduct of government business,” he said. 

Consensus skills

The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, expressed appreciation for how the new Majority Leader had developed a character of building consensus, earning the respect of colleague legislators locally and in the sub-region.

“You do not mind how long it takes to negotiate to bring peace, and that I have learned with a great deal of respect and I believe that even as Majority Leader, you will not assume that you have the numbers so you have to railroad matters on the floor of this House.

“I pray that you continue with that skill so that together we ensure the peace of this House by assisting Mr Speaker,” he said.