President John Dramani Mahama has formally sworn in Mahama Ayariga and Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Ministers following their approval by Parliament.
The two were inducted into office at a ceremony on Saturday, August 29, 2026, after completing the parliamentary approval process required for their appointments.
Mahama Ayariga has been sworn in as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, while Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings takes charge of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.
The ceremony followed Parliament’s unanimous approval of their nominations after both nominees appeared before the Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, for vetting.
At Saturday’s ceremony, President Mahama administered the Oath of Office, Oath of Secrecy and Oath of Allegiance to the two ministers, formally clearing them to begin their respective assignments.
Ayariga’s appointment comes with responsibility for key aspects of Ghana’s local governance system, including decentralisation, local government administration, chieftaincy matters and relations with traditional and religious institutions.
During his vetting, the former Majority Leader identified stronger collaboration between Members of Parliament and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) as one of the areas he intends to prioritise.
He also pledged to discharge his responsibilities fairly and without bias, assuring the Mamprugu Traditional Council and the wider Ghanaian public that his personal links to the Mamprugu traditional area would not influence his decisions.
Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, meanwhile, assumes leadership of the Environment, Science and Technology Ministry, which oversees areas including environmental protection, scientific research, technological advancement and sustainable development.
In her new role, she is expected to collaborate with government agencies, researchers, industry players and development partners in advancing policies and programmes across the environment, science and technology sectors.
The swearing-in marks the beginning of the substantive duties of both ministers as they take charge of their respective portfolios under the Mahama administration.
