By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
President John Dramani Mahama has formally sworn in Mahama Ayariga and Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Ministers following their unanimous approval by Parliament.
The swearing-in ceremony, held on Saturday, August 29, marked the formal commencement of their duties in their respective ministries.
The constitutional ceremony followed the nominees’ successful vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee and subsequent approval by the House.
On Friday, August 27, Parliament approved Mahama Ayariga as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, while Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings was approved as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.
At the ceremony, President Mahama administered the Oath of Office, Oath of Secrecy and Oath of Allegiance to the two ministers, paving the way for them to officially assume their responsibilities.
Ayariga takes charge of local governance and chieftaincy
Mahama Ayariga’s new portfolio places him at the centre of key areas of national governance, including decentralisation, local government administration, chieftaincy affairs and engagement with traditional and religious institutions.
During his vetting, Mr Ayariga identified improved cooperation between Members of Parliament and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) as one of his priorities.
He also assured the Mamprugu Traditional Council and the people of Ghana that he would discharge his duties fairly and impartially despite his personal connections to the Mamprugu traditional area.
Zanetor assumes environmental, science and technology portfolio
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings takes responsibility for a ministry with a wide mandate covering environmental protection, scientific research, technological development and sustainable development policies.
She is expected to work with relevant government agencies, researchers, industry players and development partners to advance policies and programmes within the environment, science and technology sector.
The two appointments bring the ministers into key areas of President Mahama’s administration, with expectations that they will contribute to the government’s governance, environmental protection, scientific and technological development agenda.
