A Journey of Leadership and Service
Majority Leader of Ghana’s Parliament — Championing Democracy, Justice, and Inclusive Development through Visionary Leadership and Public Service
MAHAMA AYARIGA
Mahama Ayariga, born on May 12, 1974, is a prominent Ghanaian lawyer and seasoned politician, affiliated with the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He has had an extensive career in both the legal and political arenas, demonstrating a strong commitment to public service and governance.
Ayariga’s political career includes significant roles in the administration of former President John Dramani Mahama, where he served as the Minister of Information and Media Relations as well as the Minister of Youth and Sports. In these capacities, he was instrumental in shaping the communication strategies of the government and spearheading initiatives aimed at youth empowerment and development.
Currently, Ayariga is the elected Member of Parliament for the Bawku Central constituency in the Upper East Region of Ghana. He has represented this constituency in four consecutive terms, having served in the 4th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Parliaments of the 4th Republic of Ghana. Throughout his tenure, Ayariga has been a key figure in legislative affairs, actively contributing to the development and passage of policies affecting the nation.
As of the 9th Parliament, Ayariga holds the prestigious position of Majority Leader in the Parliament of Ghana, a role that places him at the forefront of legislative leadership and government business. In addition to his leadership of the majority caucus, he also serves as the Leader of Government Business, where he plays a pivotal role in coordinating the government’s legislative agenda and ensuring the successful passage of its policies and programs. Ayariga’s leadership in these capacities continues to shape the direction of parliamentary proceedings in Ghana.
BIOGRAPHY OF MAHAMA AYARIGA
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Mahama Ayariga was born on May 12, 1974, in Bawku, located in the Upper East Region of Ghana. His early education took place both within Ghana and internationally, reflecting his diverse academic background. He attended Barewa College in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, where he completed his secondary education. He furthered his studies by pursuing a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Ghana, Legon, which laid the foundation for his legal career. Ayariga subsequently earned a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the prestigious Harvard Law School in the United States of America, further enhancing his expertise in legal matters.
In addition to his academic achievements, Ayariga has demonstrated significant professional leadership. He served as the Executive Director of the Legal Resource Centre in Accra, a role that allowed him to contribute to the development of legal resources and advocacy within Ghana. His work at the Legal Resource Centre was pivotal in advancing public interest law and legal reforms in the country.
Ayariga comes from a politically active family. His older brother, Ayariga Hassan, was the presidential candidate for the People’s National Convention (PNC) in the 2012 general elections in Ghana, underscoring the family’s longstanding involvement in the political landscape of the country.
Career
Mahama Ayariga is a qualified lawyer by profession, with a diverse career that spans both academia and legal advocacy. He began his professional journey as a teaching assistant at the Faculty of Law, University of Ghana, where he specialized in natural resources law and international law. His academic role allowed him to contribute to the education of future legal professionals while deepening his expertise in these critical areas of law.
In addition to his academic career, Ayariga co-founded the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), an influential organization dedicated to promoting human rights, community development, and social justice. As the Executive Director of the LRC, he played a central role in shaping the organization’s vision and mission, leading initiatives that focused on empowering marginalized communities, advancing legal reforms, and advocating for the protection of fundamental human rights. Under his leadership, the LRC became a key player in the Ghanaian legal landscape, providing vital resources for public interest law and working to ensure equitable access to justice for all citizens.
Member of Parliament
Mahama Ayariga’s political career in Ghana’s Parliament began in 2005 when he was first elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Bawku Central constituency. However, in the 2008 general elections, he lost his seat to Adamu Dramani Sakande of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The seat subsequently became vacant when Sakande was convicted and imprisoned after it was revealed that he had stood for election while holding citizenship of another country, which is prohibited by the Ghanaian constitution. In the 2012 general elections, Ayariga successfully reclaimed the Bawku Central seat, marking his return to Parliament. He has since been re-elected and has represented the constituency in the 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Parliaments of the Fourth Republic of Ghana. Throughout his tenure, Ayariga has played an active role in legislative affairs, contributing to the development of policies affecting his constituency and the country at large.
Minister of State
In 2009, following the election of President Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, Ayariga was appointed as the Presidential Spokesman, a position that allowed him to communicate key government policies and initiatives to the public. He was later appointed as the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, where he contributed to
the formulation and implementation of policies aimed at promoting trade and industrial development in Ghana. His ministerial portfolio expanded further when he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Education, where he played a significant role in shaping educational policies in the country.
In January 2013, following President John Dramani Mahama’s assumption of office, Ayariga was nominated and subsequently appointed as the Minister for Information. In this capacity, he was responsible for managing the government’s public communication strategies, including overseeing media relations and information dissemination. His work as Minister for Information has seen him engage with both local and international media to enhance government transparency and promote national development initiatives.
Ayariga also serves on the Appointments Committee of the Parliament of Ghana, where he participates in the vetting and approval of presidential appointees to various public offices, ensuring that qualified individuals occupy key positions within the government.
ELECTIONS
Mahama Ayariga was first elected as the Member of Parliament for the Bawku Central constituency in the Upper East Region of Ghana during the 2004 Ghanaian general elections. Contesting on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ayariga won his seat as part of a broader victory for the NDC, which secured a total of nine parliamentary seats out of 13 available seats in the Upper East Region. Nationally, the NDC secured a minority total of 94 parliamentary seats out of 230 contested seats.
In the 2004 elections, Ayariga received 18,518 votes out of 38,108 total valid votes cast, representing 48.6% of the valid votes. He triumphed over multiple contenders, including Amidu Mamudu Sisala of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Hawa Yakubu of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Yussif Taiban Kundima of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), as well as independent candidates Sadat Amadu and Abubakar Jibreel Ustarz. The vote breakdown for his competitors was as follows: Sisala received 333 votes (0.9%), Yakubu obtained 10,169 votes (26.7%), Kundima garnered 353 votes (0.9%), Amadu secured 161 votes (0.4%), and Ustarz received 8,574 votes (22.5%) of the total valid votes cast.
In 2012, Ayariga was re-elected to represent the Bawku Central constituency, again on the NDC ticket. In this election, he garnered 24,071 votes out of 43,876 total valid votes cast, which accounted for 54.86% of the total valid votes. His competitors included Awuni Aguuda Joseph of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Alhassan Haruna of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Iddrisu Mubarak of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), and Ibrahim Zaliya of the Convention People’s Party (CPP). The vote distribution for these candidates was as follows: Aguuda received 303 votes (0.69%), Haruna obtained 19,082 votes (43.49%), Mubarak secured 269 votes (0.61%), and Zaliya received 151 votes (0.34%) of the total valid votes cast. This victory solidified Ayariga’s continued representation of his constituency in Parliament.
Mahama Ayariga practices the Muslim faith. He hails from a family with a rich political legacy. His father, Frank Abdulai Ayariga, was a prominent figure in Ghana’s political history, having served as the Member of Parliament for the Bawku Constituency during the Third Republic under the administration of President Dr. Hilla Limann. This connection to public service has undoubtedly influenced Ayariga’s own career in politics, contributing to his deep-rooted commitment to serving his community and country.
Testimonials
Leadership. Service. Progress.
Official Website of the Majority Leader of Parliament and MP for Bawku Central – Advancing Justice, Development, and Opportunity for All.