Ayariga explains decision to leave Parliament for Local Government Ministry

By: Winifred Agyekum
Minister for Local Government, Mahama Ayariga, says his decision to leave Parliament and join the Executive was a personal choice motivated by his desire to help reform Ghana’s local governance system.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, the former Majority Leader said he chose to join the Executive after completing key responsibilities in Parliament, where he felt his continued contribution would be less significant compared with the opportunity to help address challenges in local governance.

Mr. Ayariga explained that Parliament had already completed several major responsibilities, including the approval of government nominees, the passage of key budgets and the consideration of judicial appointments.

He said that, with those tasks largely completed, his role in Parliament would have involved waiting for major events such as the annual Budget Statement and the State of the Nation Address.

According to him, joining the Executive offered a more demanding role that would allow him to contribute directly to addressing challenges within Ghana’s local governance system.He said he was particularly interested in the Local Government Ministry because of the need for significant improvements in the sector.

“I was happy to go to the local government because I have always felt that that’s really where we need a lot of fixing,” Mr Ayariga said.

He added that although President John Mahama was initially reluctant to release him from Parliament, he remained convinced that moving to the Executive was the best way to make his experience and expertise available to the government.

Mr Ayariga was appointed Minister for Local Government by President Mahama on August 7 and sworn into office on August 29.