President John Dramani Mahama has sworn into office Mahama Ayariga and Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Ministers, following their approval by Parliament.
The ceremony was held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Presidency, officially marking the start of their tenure.
Their swearing-in came a day after Parliament unanimously approved both nominees after a successful vetting by the Appointments Committee.
On Friday, August 27, Parliament approved Mahama Ayariga as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.
At Saturday’s ceremony, President Mahama administered the three constitutional oaths – the Oath of Allegiance, Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy – to the two ministers, empowering them to fully assume their roles.
Mr Ayariga now heads a critical governance ministry overseeing decentralisation, local government administration, chieftaincy matters and collaboration with traditional and religious institutions.
During his vetting, he said his priorities would include improving working relations between Members of Parliament and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).He also pledged to be fair and impartial in handling chieftaincy issues, assuring the Mamprugu Traditional Council and Ghanaians that his personal ties to the Mamprugu traditional area would not influence his decisions.
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings takes charge of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, which has oversight responsibility for environmental protection, scientific research, technology and sustainable development.
She is expected to collaborate with agencies, researchers, industry players and development partners to drive policies in the sector.
