News:
September 4, 2026
The new Local Government Minister visits his grandfather, the National Chief Imam, on his first Friday in office to pray for success in his expansive new portfolio.
Mahama Ayariga, the newly appointed Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has paid a courtesy call on his grandfather, the National Chief Imam, His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu.
The visit, which took place on the first Friday since his assumption of office, was a gesture of gratitude and a plea for divine guidance as he embarks on what he describes as an “enormous responsibility.”
Thanking the Chief Imam for Unwavering Support
Hon. Ayariga expressed deep appreciation to the Chief Imam for his consistent support throughout his appointment process—from his nomination, through his vetting in Parliament, to his eventual swearing-in.
“When I was nominated, he sent a delegation led by the PRO and the Executive Secretary to his office, and they came to Parliament to support me during the vetting. Again, when the President indicated the date of swearing-in, it was a Saturday morning, but once again he sent a delegation of the same persons to come and witness the ceremony and support me,” Hon. Ayariga stated.
He added: “I only assumed office Tuesday afternoon when we did the formal handing over at the ministry. Today being the first Friday since I assumed office, I decided to come first and foremost this morning to him to seek his blessings and his prayers.”
The Enormous Mandate: 261 MMDAs and 16 Regions
Ayariga highlighted the scale of the task assigned to him by President John Dramani Mahama.
“I’ve been assigned the responsibility of managing two hundred and sixty-one metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) and their chief executives,” he explained. “That includes sixteen regions, the regional ministers, and the structures at that level. Additionally, I am to serve and support all the institutions of chieftaincy and the various religious bodies in the country.”
He also noted that his portfolio includes managing the nation’s sanitation agenda, making the role particularly demanding.
“This is an enormous responsibility,” he reiterated. “It is a responsibility that can only be efficiently and successfully executed with the support of the prayers of my grandfather, the National Chief Imam.”
Sanitation and Redevelopment: The Jamestown Project
A key component of Hon. Ayariga’s sanitation mandate involves a major redevelopment project in Jamestown. He is leading the government’s plan to clear the over-50-year-old waste heap in the area and transform it into modern, livable spaces.
In a previous announcement, Ayariga outlined an innovative approach: the government plans to use approximately 1,000 stacked containers to house around 100,000 residents vertically.
“You haven’t sacked them,” he explained. “You have just organized them in such a way that they go vertical instead of this horizontal layout that occupies the entire space.”
A Message from the President
Hon. Ayariga also used the visit to convey President Mahama’s personal appreciation to the National Chief Imam for his continuous support and prayers for the President and the government.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso, Ghanamps.com