James Agalga to succeed Mahama Ayariga as Majority Leader

James Agalga, the Member of Parliament for Builsa North in the Upper East Region, will succeed Mahama Ayariga as Majority Leader in Parliament.

Agalga, who has served in Parliament since January 7, 2013, is currently serving his fourth term as MP for Builsa North.

The change follows the nomination of Mahama Ayariga, the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, confirmed the development to Graphic Online’s parliamentary correspondent, Nana Konadu Agyeman.

“Yes, it is true that James Agalga is the new Majority Leader,” he said.

Ayariga’s nomination as a minister means he ceases to serve as Majority Leader in Parliament.

Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan, the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast South, who has also served in Parliament since 2013 and is currently in his fourth term, remains the Deputy Majority Leader.

The leadership change follows a ministerial reshuffle announced by President John Dramani Mahama on Friday.

Under the reshuffle, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, was nominated as Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, while Mahama Ayariga was nominated as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

President Mahama also reassigned Kenneth Gilbert Adjei from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources to the Ministry of Defence. Adjei previously served as Deputy Minister for Defence during President Mahama’s first administration from May 2015 to January 6, 2017.

In addition, Ahmed Ibrahim, Member of Parliament for Banda, was reassigned from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.

Source: Graphic Online [www.graphic.com.gh]