Mahama swears in Ayariga, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as ministers

President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in Mahama Ayariga and Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as ministers following their unanimous approval by Parliament.

The ceremony was held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, formally paving the way for the two ministers to assume their respective portfolios.

Their swearing-in followed their successful vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee and subsequent approval by the House.

Parliament on Friday, August 27, approved Mr Ayariga as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and Dr Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.

The parliamentary approval cleared the way for President Mahama to complete the constitutional process by administering the Oath of Office, Oath of Secrecy and Oath of Allegiance to the two ministers.

Mr Ayariga now takes charge of a ministry responsible for key areas of governance, including decentralisation, local government administration, chieftaincy affairs and relations with traditional and religious institutions.

During his vetting on August 27, Mr Ayariga identified improved collaboration between Members of Parliament and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) as one of the areas he would focus on.

He also assured the Mamprugu Traditional Council and the Ghanaian public that he would discharge his responsibilities fairly and impartially, despite his personal ties to the Mamprugu traditional area.

Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, meanwhile, assumes responsibility for a ministry with a wide-ranging mandate covering environmental protection, scientific research, technological advancement and sustainable development.

In her new role, she is expected to work with state agencies, researchers, industry players and development partners to advance policies and programmes aimed at strengthening Ghana’s environmental, scientific and technological sectors.