James Agalga named majority leader following Mahama Ayariga's ministerial appointment

The Member of Parliament for Builsa North, James Agalga, has been appointed the new Majority Leader in Parliament following the nomination of Mahama Ayariga as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

Mr Agalga, who has represented the Builsa North Constituency since January 7, 2013, is serving his fourth consecutive term in Parliament and will now lead the Majority Caucus.

The appointment was confirmed by the Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, to the media.

"Yes, it is true that James Agalga is the new Majority Leader," Mr Dafeamekpor said.

Mr Ayariga's elevation to the Cabinet means he relinquishes his role as Majority Leader to focus on his ministerial responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast South, Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan, has been appointed Deputy Majority Leader. Like Mr Agalga, he has served in Parliament since 2013 and is currently in his fourth term.

The changes follow a ministerial reshuffle announced by President John Dramani Mahama on Friday, nearly one year and eight months into his second term in office.

As part of the reshuffle, the President nominated Klottey Korle MP, Dr Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings, as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, while Mahama Ayariga was nominated to head the Ministry of 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. Mr Adjei previously served as Deputy Minister for Defence during President Mahama's first administration between May 2015 and January 2017.

In addition, Banda MP Ahmed Ibrahim has been moved from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.