By King Amoah
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Presiding Member Hon. Patrick Kwame Frimpong has publicly appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider the recent reassignment of Hon. Mahama Ayariga suggesting that the legislator’s unique skills set a proven track record to make him indispensable in his former portfolio.
Hon. Mahama Ayariga the former Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business has been nominated by the President to lead the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs.
While acknowledging the President’s prerogative to reshuffle his cabinet, Hon. Frimpong insists that the nation stands to lose a significant momentum if the legislator is moved from his previous oversight role.
A Pillar of Local Governance:
Speaking to the Correspondent in an interview, Hon. Frimpong credited the successful operations and performances of Municipal, Metropolita and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country to the direct influence and dedication of Hon. Ayariga.
Hon. Ayariga is an honest public servant who anchors
his work in the principles of transparency, unity and fair play, Hon. Frimpong stated.
He reiterated that his approachability and willingness to collaborate closely with Assembly members on community development and welfare issues have yielded tangible results that have benefited the entire nation.
Concerns Over Regional Stability and Chieftaincy Challenges:
While emphasizing that his comments are not intended to oppose the government, the Presiding Member expressed deep concern regarding the timing of the transition particularly regarding the volatile chieftaincy landscape in the Northern part of Ghana.
Hon. Frimpong pointed out that Hon. Ayariga’s former role was instrumental in managing governance in the Northern regions which remain fragile due to unresolved conflicts.
He stressed that hy moving him into a portfolio explicitly focused on the sensitive Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs sector, the Presiding Member fears that the government may be creating a public perception challenge.
As a native of the North, there are lingering questions regarding the Bawku – Mamprusi chieftaincy and land disputes.
If Hon Mahama’ Agyariva is moved to the Ministry of Chieftaincy critics may unfairly question his ability to address national chieftaincy challenges when issues in his own ‘backyard’ remained unresolved, he noted.
It is a matter of optics and the historical weight of these conflicts that the President should consider.
A Call for Continuity:
Hon. Frimpong described Hon. Ayariga as a rare breed of politician whose leadership style fosters peace and development.
He noted that the legislator’s ability to navigate complex parliamentary challenges while remaining accessible to local grassroots leaders is a trait that is difficult to replace.
This is my humble suggestion to His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, Hon. Frimpong remarked.
In the interest of maintaining the hard won progress in our local assemblies to ensure that the right leadership is applied to a sensitive regional issues, I urge the President to consider and maintain Hon. Ayariga in his former position where his influence has proven to be the most effective force towards national development.
