James Agalga, the Builsa North Member of Parliament, has been tipped to replace Mahama Ayariga as Majority Leader following his appointment as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Sources within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament made this known.
Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, was reassigned as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs in President Mahama’s cabinet reshuffle announced on Friday, August 7, 2026.
According to reports, the NDC chose James Agalga over South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, who was also considered for the position.
However, the decision is yet to be announced by the NDC parliamentary leadership.
The Builsa North MP is currently serving as Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee.
The information gathered suggests that Dafeamekpor, the Majority Chief Whip, was regarded as a strong contender for the position due to his experience; however, the NDC caucus favoured Mr Agalga’s approach and experience.
Also, the possible selection of Mr Agalga maintains the NDC continuity in the parliamentary leadership structure, as both he and Mahama Ayariga are from the Upper East Region.
Meanwhile, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader in Parliament, has said his focus is to hold the John Mahama-led government’s feet to the fire.
The minority leader stressed that he will hold the government accountable but will ensure he does not obstruct parliamentary business.
According to Afenyo-Markin, he carefully balances his role between rigorous scrutiny and respect for parliamentary procedures.
He further stressed that what people described as being controversial in the chamber is due to his active engagements, which are guided by principle rather than personal interest.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View with Bernard Avle on Monday, February 16, 2026, “My focus has been to hold the government’s feet to the fire, at the same time not being obstructive. When you are in opposition, you must have it on the back of your mind that you have a day in government tomorrow.
“So I’m equally mindful not to push too much and personalise matters. Else if you come back in 2029, they will also make life difficult for you. You gauge the mood of the house, but you don’t deviate from your core duty of scrutinising,” he said.
In other news, Sammi Awuku, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, has said Ghana’s biggest mistake was giving the NDC a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
The Akuapem North MP argued that the NDC super-majority has weakened checks and balances under the Mahama administration.
According to Sammi Awuku, he would not wish such dominance for the NPP either.
Sammi Awuku argued that such dominance emboldens governments to act without accountability.
He cited instances where bills were presented in Parliament seeking approval for loans without clear details on repayment terms.
Speaking to the media in Parliament and shared online on July 30, 2026, Sammi Awuku stated, “The biggest mistake that, for me, we made in 2024 was giving the NDC a super majority. Any party that wins the general elections, I would prefer that at least the Ghanaian people give them a good majority to rule, but not an overwhelming majority where there’s so much culture of impunity”.
“Sometimes they bring bills asking for approval of loans. They won’t even tell you the repayment period because they have a super majority,” he lamented.
According to Sammi Awuku, he would not wish a similar level of legislative control for his own party, arguing that concentrated power in Parliament is undesirable regardless of which party holds it.
He warned that overwhelming parliamentary supremacy risks eroding Ghana’s constitutional safeguards.
“Don’t give that party a two‑thirds majority that they can even temper with the spirit and letter of the constitution as well,” Sammi Awuku warned.
@ghnow_ NPP Leadership Joined the “Democracy Under Attack” Demonstration earlier today #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ The NPP’s “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration took place earlier today, with thousands of party supporters, leaders, and Minority MPs taking to the streets to protest what they described as threats to Ghana’s democratic principles. The demonstration concluded with protesters presenting a petition at Jubilee House after a heavy police presence secured the area.
♬ original sound – GHnow
