Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has suggested that Mahama Ayariga’s removal as Majority Leader may be linked to a disagreement with Speaker Alban Bagbin over the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
Martin Kpebu argued that Ayariga’s position that the bill was validly passed would have made it difficult for the Speaker and President to pursue reconsideration.
According to Kpebu, the appointment of James Agalga as Majority Leader could be connected to the disagreement between Ayariga and the Speaker
Kpebu said the appointment of James Agalga as Majority Leader could be connected to the disagreement between Ayariga and the Speaker.
Speaking on TV3 Key Point, Martin Kpebu stated, “The one that has intrigued me is Agalga’s promotion to that position. Analysts are saying that it appears because Mahama Ayariga challenged Speaker [Bagbin] on the passage of the LGBTQ law, that’s why Ayariga has been removed. You know, the Speaker said the bill had not been passed, and Ayariga too says it’s been properly passed.
“And you know how the international community is breathing down our necks on that particular law, so it means that for as long as Ayariga stays as a majority leader, there’s going to be a problem going forward with that bill. So it appears very reasonable.
“So they say that it appears it’s because of it that Ayariga has been removed so that the proposals that the Speaker has put forward, like the consideration can be done again, etc,” he suggested.
Kpebu cautioned, “You know, the bill has been kept somewhere. We’ve moved on. But look, we should be careful. If we don’t sort out that issue once and for all, the NDC will pay dearly for it. Let’s not make a mistake. The opposition are watching. They’ll just wait, and near elections, they will raise it again, so it’s better this bill and these issues are dealt with once and for all”.
“So my understanding is that this removal is perhaps a paved way for the reconsideration, as the Speaker has mentioned, because Ayariga has been very clear that as far as he’s aware, the bill has been passed by Parliament. So it’s left with the presidential assent, but the Speaker is saying otherwise,” he added.
In related news, President John Dramani Mahama has made a ministerial reshuffle as part of a cabinet shake-up aimed at filling key government positions.
Mahama nominated Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, while reassigning two other ministers to new portfolios.
Subsequently, James Agalga, the Member of Parliament for Builsa North, has been named as the new Majority Leader in Parliament.
The decision follows President John Mahama’s nomination of Mahama Ayariga as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs-designate.
Earlier reports had suggested James Agalga, the Builsa North Member of Parliament, was 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.
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.
Watch the video below:
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has suggested that Mahama Ayariga's removal as Majority Leader may be linked to a disagreement with Speaker Alban Bagbin over the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) August 8, 2026
Kpebu argued that Ayariga's position that the bill was validly passed would have made it… pic.twitter.com/wlnTxWtNNu
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