By Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
Accra, Aug. 26, GNA—The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has formally notified Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, of the appointment of Mr James Agalga, the NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Builsa North, as the new Majority Leader.
In a letter dated Monday, August 24, 2026, and signed by the General Secretary of the NDC, Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the party said the appointment followed consultations between the party leadership and the Presidency.
The letter, addressed to the Speaker, stated that “Mr Agalga’s appointment takes immediate effect.”
It said, “I write on behalf of the leadership of the NDC to formally inform you that, following consultations between the leadership of the party and the presidency, Mr James Agalga, Member of Parliament for Builsa North Constituency, has been appointed as the new Majority Leader of the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana.”
The letter noted that the appointment was “intended to provide the necessary leadership and coordination for the NDC Majority Caucus in Parliament as it continues to discharge its constitutional and parliamentary responsibilities.”
“The NDC leadership is confident that, with the cooperation of the speaker and all members of Parliament, Mr James Agalga will provide the leadership necessary to advance the work of Parliament in the supreme interest of the Republic,” it added.
The formal notification follows comments by Speaker Bagbin that President John Dramani Mahama’s earlier announcement of Mr Agalga as the new Majority Leader was procedurally incorrect.
Speaker Bagbin explained that the President did not have the authority to formally communicate a change in the leadership of a parliamentary caucus to the Speaker.
According to him, Parliament’s Standing Orders required any change in the leadership of the Majority or Minority Caucus to be formally communicated to the Speaker by the General Secretary of the political party concerned.
Speaker Bagbin made the clarification when Parliament reconvened on Monday, August 25, stressing that the prescribed procedure had to be followed before Mr Agalga could be accorded the courtesies and recognition associated with the position.
He said the Standing Orders defined the Majority Leader as a Member of Parliament “designated by the Majority Caucus as its leader in the House.”
Mr Agalga replaces Mr Mahama Ayariga, MP for Bawku Central, who has been nominated as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
GNA
Edited by Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
[email protected]