Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga says his decision to leave Parliament for the executive was not driven by political pressure but by a personal conviction that he could make a greater impact on Ghana’s local governance system.
The Minister for Local Government said he deliberately chose the executive because he believes the country’s local governance sector requires significant reforms and his experience could help address some of its longstanding challenges.
Mr Ayariga said his work in Parliament had reached a point where most of the major responsibilities before the House had already been dealt with.
In an interview on Accrased Citi FM, he cited the approval of government nominees, passage of key budgets and consideration of judicial appointments among the major tasks Parliament had completed.
According to him, remaining in Parliament would have meant waiting largely for major annual events such as the presentation of the Budget and the State of the Nation Address.
The executive, he noted, offered a more demanding environment where his experience could be put to immediate use.
Mr Ayariga said although President John Dramani Mahama was initially reluctant to release him from Parliament, he was convinced that joining the executive was the more meaningful option.
“I was happy to go to local government because I have always felt that that’s really where we need a lot of fixing,” he added.
Mr Ayariga was appointed Minister for Local Government by President Mahama on August 7 and subsequently sworn into office on August 29.
His move marks a return to the executive, where he is expected to focus on strengthening local governance and addressing challenges confronting the sector.
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