Mahama swears in Ayariga, Zanetor as Ministers for Local Government, Environment

President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in Mahama Ayariga and Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Ministers for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and Environment, Science and Technology respectively.

The ceremony, held at the Presidency, marked the formal assumption of office by the two newly appointed ministers, who are expected to play key roles in the government’s decentralisation, environmental protection and sustainable development agenda.

President Mahama charged the ministers to serve Ghanaians with integrity, humility, fairness and fidelity to the Constitution.

He said the oaths administered to them were not mere formalities but solemn commitments to serve the Ghanaian people and uphold the national interest.

“Public office is a privilege and not a right, but it is also demanding of trust,” the President said.

Ayariga tasked to strengthen local governance

President Mahama tasked Mr Ayariga with making decentralisation more meaningful to citizens and ensuring that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies become more accountable, financially disciplined and responsive to the needs of their communities.

He said local government was the level at which ordinary citizens most directly encountered the state, making effective service delivery at the local level critical to national development.

The President urged the new minister to focus on improving local services, sanitation, markets, roads, spatial planning and other community infrastructure.

He also tasked Mr Ayariga to help restore order to Ghana’s cities and towns by addressing uncontrolled development, congestion, poor spatial planning and the persistent encroachment on public spaces.

On chieftaincy and religious affairs, President Mahama urged him to approach the portfolio with wisdom, patience and impartiality.

He described traditional authorities as important partners in national development and custodians of Ghana’s cultural heritage.

He also acknowledged the contributions of religious institutions to education, healthcare, social protection, peacebuilding and national cohesion.

Zanetor charged to protect environment

President Mahama, in addressing Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, said the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology carried a critical responsibility for protecting Ghana’s natural resources and securing a healthier future for generations to come.

He said her medical background would bring an important perspective to environmental management, as environmental degradation has direct consequences for human health.

“The environment is not separate from human health. Polluted rivers, contaminated soils, poor sanitation, unsafe air and indiscriminate waste disposal eventually find expression in our hospitals and in the health of our people,” he said.

The President identified illegal mining and the destruction of forests and water bodies as among the gravest threats to Ghana’s national survival.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to taking firm action against activities that put private profit above the collective wellbeing of the Ghanaian people.

President Mahama also charged Dr Agyeman-Rawlings to strengthen scientific research, support local inventors and promote collaboration among universities, research institutions and industry.

He said science, technology and innovation must be placed at the centre of Ghana’s development, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, climate resilience and the digital economy.

Call for collaboration

President Mahama stressed that the mandates of the two ministries were closely connected, particularly in areas such as sanitation, land-use planning, waste management, climate resilience and the protection of natural resources.

He therefore urged the two ministers to work closely together and collaborate with traditional leaders, religious bodies, district assemblies, scientists, civil society organisations and local communities.

Having served with both ministers in Parliament, President Mahama said he was confident that they would maintain a strong working relationship.

“Government succeeds when its institutions collaborate, not when ministries operate as isolated entities,” he said.

The President reminded the new ministers that Ghanaians expected results, integrity, accessibility and accountability from public officials.

He urged them to listen to citizens, act with urgency, respect professional advice and ensure that public resources were managed prudently.

“Be firm when firmness is required. Be fair where fairness is required, but always remember to remain humble,” President Mahama said.

He urged them to discharge their duties with courage, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the people of Ghana.

Newly sworn-in Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, pledged to work closely with his colleague, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, to deliver on President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of resetting Ghana.

He said they had taken note of the President’s expectations and would ensure that their work remained focused on the commitments made to Ghanaians during the 2024 election campaign.

“We will work to realise the commitments that you made to Ghanaians in your promise to reset the country when you campaigned in 2024,” Hon. Ayariga said.

He said the President’s style of governance and his approach to engaging ordinary Ghanaians would serve as a guide for the two ministers in the discharge of their responsibilities.

“Our responsibility is to the ordinary Ghanaian ultimately, and so the ordinary Ghanaian shall be at the forefront of whatever we do,” he said.

Hon. Ayariga assured the President that the two ministries would collaborate closely to improve governance and development across the country.

He specifically pledged to ensure that cities, municipalities, metropolises, districts, zones and electoral areas received better governance under the Mahama administration.