Parliament has approved the nominations of Mahama Ayariga and Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Ministers for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and Environment, Science and Technology, respectively.
The approvals followed their vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee as part of the constitutional process for scrutinising presidential nominees for ministerial appointments.
Mahama Ayariga, a former Majority Leader and Chairman of Parliament’s Business Committee, was nominated by President John Dramani Mahama to lead the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
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Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings was nominated to head the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, where she will be responsible for key areas including environmental protection, scientific research, technological development and policies aimed at addressing environmental challenges.
Both nominees appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, where they were assessed on their competence, experience and suitability for their respective portfolios.
Following the vetting, the Committee recommended that both nominees be approved by the House.
Parliament subsequently endorsed the recommendations, clearing the way for Mahama Ayariga and Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings to take up their respective ministerial responsibilities.
Mahama Ayariga’s appointment marks his move from parliamentary leadership into the Executive.
Before his nomination, he served as Majority Leader and Chairman of Parliament’s Business Committee, where he played a key role in coordinating government business in the House.
His experience in Parliament and national politics is expected to shape his approach to the Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs portfolio.
He will be responsible for policies relating to local governance, decentralisation, chieftaincy and religious affairs.
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, meanwhile, takes responsibility for a portfolio covering environmental sustainability, science and technological development.
Her ministry will be expected to play a key role in addressing environmental challenges while promoting scientific research and innovation as part of Ghana’s development agenda.
Her appointment comes at a time when environmental protection and sustainable development remain major policy priorities for the country.
The approval of the two nominees forms part of President John Dramani Mahama’s ongoing adjustments to his ministerial team as his administration seeks to advance its policy agenda.
With Parliament’s approval, Ayariga and Dr Agyeman-Rawlings are now positioned to assume their respective portfolios and contribute to the government’s programmes in local governance, environmental protection, science and technology.