Mahama Ayariga Appointed as Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in 9th Parliament
Mahama Ayariga, the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, has been officially named the new Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Ghana’s 9th Parliament. He takes over from Cassiel Ato Forson, who now serves as the Minister of Finance.
His appointment was confirmed by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Additionally, Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan, the MP for Cape Coast South, has been chosen as Deputy Majority Leader.
Other Key Parliamentary Leadership Changes
As part of the leadership reshuffle, several other appointments were made:
Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, MP for South Dayi, has been assigned the role of Majority Chief Whip, replacing Governs Agbodza.
Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, the MP for Ada, is now the First Deputy Majority Whip.
Richard Acheampong, MP for Bia East, has been appointed Second Deputy Majority Whip.
Ayariga’s Vision and Commitment
In his acceptance speech, Mahama Ayariga acknowledged the challenges ahead for the Mahama administration. However, he expressed confidence that through cooperation and constructive dialogue, any obstacles could be overcome.
“We must remain dedicated to serving the people of Ghana. Their trust should guide our actions and decisions. Our goal is to build a strong, united, and democratic nation,” Ayariga stated.
He reassured the public that he and his colleagues would work diligently to fulfill the mandate given to President John Dramani Mahama and the 187 NDC MPs in Parliament. He emphasized that their primary goal is to “reset Ghana” and implement policies that reflect the aspirations of the people.
Inspired by Past Leaders
Ayariga paid tribute to previous NDC Majority Leaders, acknowledging their leadership styles as a source of guidance. He mentioned notable figures such as:
Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin (current Speaker of Parliament)
Hon. Cletus Avoka
Hon. Benjamin Kunbuor
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu
Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson (his immediate predecessor)
He pledged to uphold their legacy of leadership while ensuring that his tenure is defined by inclusivity, consensus-building, and accountability.
“Even with our significant majority in Parliament, we will promote national unity, strengthen democracy, and work towards fair development for all,” he affirmed.
A Legacy in Politics
Mahama Ayariga has had a distinguished political career, first entering Parliament in 2005. Over the years, he has served in various capacities, including as a Deputy Minister and Minister of State. Despite a brief period out of Parliament, he successfully returned and has remained a key figure in Ghanaian politics.
Before joining Parliament, Ayariga was active in student leadership and later became an Assemblyman for Sabongari in Bawku Municipality.
As he assumes his new leadership role, Ayariga assured Ghanaians that he would serve with humility and a commitment to national progress. He expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama, NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia, and his colleagues in Parliament for entrusting him with this responsibility.
“We will not take this trust for granted. Our leadership will be defined by service, transparency, and a relentless pursuit of Ghana’s development,” he concluded.
