President John Dramani Mahama has nominated Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs as part of a ministerial reshuffle announced on Friday, August 7, 2026.
In a statement issued by the Presidency Communications, the President, acting in accordance with Article 78(1) of the Constitution, submitted Ayariga’s name to Parliament through the Speaker for prior approval as Minister of State.
Mahama Ayariga, the Member of Parliament for the Bawku Central Constituency in the Upper East Region, currently serves as Majority Leader in Parliament. He has previously held several ministerial positions, including Minister of Information and Media Relations and Minister of Youth and Sports during Mahama’s earlier administration.
The nomination comes as part of broader cabinet adjustments that also include the nomination of Dr. Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings for the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the reassignment of Kenneth Gilbert Adjei to the Ministry of Defence, and the reassignment of Ahmed Ibrahim to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
Ayariga will take over the Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs portfolio from Ahmed Ibrahim, who has been moved to the Works, Housing and Water Resources Ministry. Parliamentary approval is required before he can formally assume the position.