James Agalga, the Member of Parliament for Builsa North in the Upper East Region, has been named the new Majority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, replacing Mahama Ayariga following Ayariga’s nomination as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Agalga, who first entered Parliament on January 7, 2013, is currently serving his fourth consecutive term as MP for Builsa North. His appointment places him at the helm of the Majority Caucus and Leader of Government Business in Parliament.
James Agalga confirmed as new Majority Leader
The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, confirmed the leadership change to Parliamentary Correspondent Nana Konadu Agyeman.
“Yes, it is true that James Agalga is the new Majority Leader,” he confirmed.
Agalga’s elevation follows President John Dramani Mahama’s latest ministerial reshuffle, which saw Mahama Ayariga nominated to serve as Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Once Ayariga’s ministerial nomination is approved and he assumes the new position, he will no longer lead the Majority Caucus in Parliament.
Kweku Ricketts-Hagan remains Deputy Majority Leader
Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan, the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast South, remains the Deputy Majority Leader.
Ricketts-Hagan, who has also been a Member of Parliament since 2013, is currently serving his fourth term in the legislature.
The latest changes are expected to reshape the leadership of the governing party’s parliamentary caucus as the Mahama administration continues its second term.
Mahama reshuffles ministers
The changes in Parliament follow a wider ministerial reshuffle announced by President John Dramani Mahama.
Under the reshuffle, Dr Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings, MP for Klottey Korle, has been nominated as Minister of Environment, Science and Technology.
Mahama Ayariga, MP for Bawku Central and now former Majority Leader, has been nominated as Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
President Mahama has also reassigned Kenneth Gilbert Adjei from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources to the Ministry of Defence.
Ken Adjei previously served as Deputy Defence Minister during Mahama’s first administration from May 2015 to January 6, 2017.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Ibrahim, the MP for Banda, has been moved from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
The latest ministerial appointments and parliamentary leadership changes form part of President Mahama’s efforts to reorganise his government and strengthen the administration during his second term.
Source: newsthemegh.com