Parliament on Thursday evening, August 27, 2026, approved the nominations of Mahama Ayariga as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.
Mahama Ayariga and Dr Zanetor’s approval follows their vetting earlier in the day by Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
Parliament approved both nominations through a voice vote, with the Speaker declaring that the Ayes had it.
Announcing the decision, the Speaker stated, “Honourable Members, the Ayes have it. This Honourable House has accordingly approved the nominations of His Excellency the President of the following persons as Ministers of State in accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution”.
In related news, Dr Zanetor, speaking on Thursday, August 27, 2026, when she appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for her vetting, urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to maintain the January 1, 2027 deadline for the ban on Styrofoam or takeaway packs.
According to Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, environmental dangers associated with the widespread use and disposal of polystyrene products are too significant to be overlooked.
She highlighted that the proposed ban on polystyrene foam products is necessary to address Ghana’s growing waste management challenges.
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings stated, “I believe that the EPA, just a couple of days ago, was actually in Kumasi raising awareness on the impending ban on styrofoam. I believe that the dangers around the use of polystyrene cannot be glossed over, and it has to be done.
“Not to belittle the issue, but I remember as children, when you wanted to go for Auntie Naa’s rice, you took your own pot to go and buy the rice, and I am not sure at which point putting plastic within plastic became the norm, and I think it comes down to a change in behaviour.
“Obviously, behaviour change is something that can take time, but it can be incentivised, or you can put penalties in place. It comes down to how we enforce the ban and the seriousness with which we seek to address this. I stand by the fact that the ban timeline has to be maintained.”
Also, Mahama Ayariga pledged to mobilise funds for the construction of the abandoned National Cathedral if the project receives the backing of the Christian community and President John Dramani Mahama.
According to Mahama Ayariga, the National Cathedral was a good idea, but badly executed.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for his vetting as part of the process leading to his possible approval as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, he stated, “I believe that Ghanaians are deeply religious even though constitutionally, we are regarded as a secular state. I believe that having cathedrals, church buildings, mosques and other worshipping centres are great and exciting things that enable the practice of religions.
“And so in my opinion, I don’t think there is anything wrong with having a national cathedral for the Christians of the country. And if you are talking about the National Cathedral that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo initiated when he was president, I don’t see anything wrong with it. I think it was a good idea that was badly executed. I personally had issues with the location.”
“I want to assure this House that if I am approved, I will engage the leadership of the Christian Community and if they want to still have it, I will engage with the President and if it is his wish, I will mobilise funds [for] its construction,” he said.
@ghnow_ Hon. Ewurabena Aubynn has arrived in Dansoman to officially commission the newly built Astroturf in the Ablekuma North Constituency. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Active work continue to permanently solve the drainage problem at Darkuman Junction #GHNow #fyp ♬ son original – Power of Passion Genies2Babi
