By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, Aug. 29, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has in accordance with Article 78 (1) of the 1992 Constitution sworn in Mr Mahama Ayariga as Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister of Environment, Science and Technology.
The duo are both lawmakers – Mr Ayariga, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central in the Upper East Region and former Majority Leader in Parliament while Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, the MP for Klottey Korle in the Greater Accra Region.
The event, which took place at the Presidency was witnessed by Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
President Mahama charged the two new Ministers to serve with integrity, humility, fairness, and fidelity to the Constitution, reminding them that public office was a privilege and a responsibility to put the national interest first.
He also tasked them to discharge their duties with courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the people of Ghana.
To Mr Ayariga, the President said he assumes responsibility for the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs at an important time in their national development.
He said Mr Ayariga would bring considerable experience to this assignment as a legislator, a lawyer, and a former Minister of State, having served both in the Ministries of Youth and Sports and Environment, Science and Technology.
“Your years in public life are giving you a deep appreciation of public administration, parliamentary accountability and the importance of building consensus across our diverse society,” the President said.
He noted that Local Government was where the ordinary citizens most directly encountered the state in their Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, and where communities expect functioning social services, functioning markets, clean and surroundings, reliable local roads, effective planning and responsive public services occurred.
The President charged the Local Government Minister to make decentralisation meaningful to their citizens, adding that, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies must become more accountable, financially disciplined, and responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.
“You must also work to restore order to our cities and towns; poor spatial planning, uncontrolled developments, sanitation challenges, congestion and the persistent encroachment on public spaces cannot continue to be left unchecked.”
The President said responsibility for chieftains in religious affairs particularly called for wisdom, patience, and impartiality and reiterated that their traditional authority remained indispensable partners in the development and were custodians of our heritage.
President Mahama said similarly the nation’s religious institutions continued to make invaluable contributions to education, healthcare, social protection, peace building, and national cohesion.
He said Mr Ayariga must therefore engage these institutions with respect and fairness, saying, Ghana’s religious and cultural diversity must remain a source of strength rather than a source of division.
He said at all times, the Government must protect freedom of worship, promote tolerance, and ensure that no citizen was marginalised because of their faith, their ethnicity or their ethnic affiliation.
President Mahama said Dr Agyeman-Rawlings brings to the office a valuable combination of medical training, parliamentary experience, humanitarian service and a long standing commitment to public health, environmental responsibility and the welfare of vulnerable communities being an MP of a vulnerable a constituency herself.
He said her medical training provided a particularly important perspective, declaring that the environment was not separated from human health.
The President said polluted rivers contaminated soils, poor sanitation, unsafe air, and indiscriminate waste disposal eventually find expression in the nation’s hospitals and in the health of their people.
“You must provide determined leadership to protect Ghana’s natural resources and secure a healthier future for generations yet unborn,” President stated.
He said the destruction of the nation’s forests and water bodies through illegal mining remained one of the grievous threats to their national survival.
He said this administration would continue to act firmly against those who place private profits above the collective wellbeing of their people.
The President said environmental protection must be based on sound science, effective regulation, consistent enforcement and the active participation of affected communities, stating that at the same time the Environment Ministry must place science, technology and innovation at the heart of their national development.
“We must strengthen scientific research, encourage innovation, support local inventors and deepen collaboration amongst our universities, our research institutions and industry.”
Mr Ayariga on behalf of his colleague expressed gratitude the President for reposing confidence in them and assigning them to these two very important ministries.
He said they would work to realise the commitments that he made to Ghanaians in his promise to reset the country when he campaigned in 2024.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei