Outgoing Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has officially bid farewell to the Majority leadership following his appointment as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Addressing Parliament on Thursday, August 28, Mr Ayariga congratulated his successor, James Agalga, Member of Parliament for Builsa North, describing him as capable and worthy of leading the Majority Caucus and government business in Parliament.
Mr Ayariga said he did not doubt that Mr Agalga would excel in his new role, citing his experience in Parliament, including his service on several committees and as a Deputy Minister.
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“I have no doubt that Honorable James Agalga is worthy of the leadership of the Majority Caucus and this House,” he said.
He urged Members of Parliament from both sides of the House to give the new Majority Leader the necessary support to enable him to succeed.
Reflecting on his tenure as Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga said he worked to ensure that government business presented to Parliament was executed with minimal friction.
He expressed gratitude to the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, as well as members of both the Majority and Minority sides, for their cooperation despite disagreements on several occasions.
According to him, disagreements between political parties are an essential part of democracy, stressing that Parliament remains central to Ghana’s democratic development.
“Democracy will continue to depend on this very House, and I urge colleagues to take the assignment of deepening democracy very seriously,” he said.
The outgoing Majority Leader stressed that his departure from the leadership position did not mean he was leaving Parliament.
“I am leaving as Majority Leader, but I am not leaving as Member of Parliament,” Mr Ayariga said.
He assured colleagues that he would remain an MP and a member of the Majority Caucus and would continue to support and guide the new Majority Leader.
Mahama Ayariga said he would also remain closely connected to Parliament while serving in his new ministerial role.
“I will be here. I will not go far away,” he told the House.
According to him, his new position at the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs presents him with an opportunity to help strengthen local governance in Ghana.
He expressed confidence that his experience in Parliament, relationships with MPs and previous public service roles had equipped him to deliver effectively at the ministry.
“I believe that the local governance of this country needs a lot of boosting,” he said.
Mr Mahama Ayariga assured MPs that their interests would receive strong attention during his tenure as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The outgoing Majority Leader paid tribute to Speaker Alban Bagbin, saying the Speaker’s extensive parliamentary experience had made his work as Majority Leader considerably easier.
He praised Mr Bagbin’s years of service as a Minority Leader, Majority Leader, minister and long-serving Member of Parliament.
“Your presence as Speaker has made my job as leader very easy,” Mr Ayariga said, commending the Speaker for his leadership and transformation of Parliament.
He also thanked his deputy, the Chief Whip, the First and Second Deputy Chief Whips, the backbenchers and other parliamentary leaders for their support during his tenure.
Mr Ayariga extended his appreciation to the Clerk and the Table Office, the Parliamentary Service, the media and members of the Minority Caucus for their contributions to the work of Parliament.
He expressed confidence that his successor would perform even better with the support of the House and urged all MPs to support James Agalga as the new Majority Leader to enable him to lead the Majority Caucus and government business in Parliament effectively.