Hon Ayariga Mahama
Bawku Central

Mr Speaker, a short while ago, I was formally chosen by my party, the great NDC and the Majority Caucus of 187 Members to lead the NDC Caucus in this Ninth Parliament of the Fourth Republic. It is an honour and a privilege to serve in this new role as the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in this Parliament. With humility and profound gratitude to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, the leadership of the NDC, chaired by Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, and my Hon Colleagues in Parliament, I wholeheartedly accept this appointment.

I am thankful for the confidence reposed in me. As I am fully aware that this is an onerous role; I intend to discharge it to the best of my ability. Our duty as legislators is to ensure that we do all we can for the betterment of the people of Ghana. As a Leader of the House, I have an abiding duty to ensure that we always stand on the side of Ghanaians.

Mr Speaker, this is my charge to keep and a duty I would faithfully discharge. As Leader of the House, I am committed to working hard to ensure that Members work in an environment that is more conducive, convenient and friendly. We are the representatives of the people of Ghana for a reason; let us always be guided by this, so that we would carve a place for ourselves in the annals of our dear country.

Mr Speaker, before I resume my seat, may I seize the opportunity to express appreciation to the immediate past Leadership of our Caucus, which is made up of Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the outgoing Majority Leader; Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the outgoing Deputy Majority Leader—Mr Speaker, in the case of Mr Buah, I intend for his seat to be relocated behind the pillar. Mr Kwame Governs Agbodza, the outgoing Majority Chief Whip; Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, the first Deputy Majority Whip, and the youngest lady in the Chamber, Ms Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe, the outgoing Second Deputy Majority Whip and incoming First Deputy Majority Whip.

I would also want to thank all the Members of our Caucus for the unity and oneness of purpose displayed. I am counting on them to continue to exhibit this same level of support and togetherness, if not more. Mr Speaker, my main agenda in this House is to pursue the manifesto and programme of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama.

A manifesto and a commitment that has received the overwhelming support and vote of Ghanaians. We would do this by passing good laws, succeeding to further those commitments, and releasing our various committees on our oversight responsibilities to ensure that the institutions of Government work for the people of Ghana once again.
Let me use this opportunity to thank the Minority Leader and our friends on the other Side of the aisle for the cooperation and support we have received so far since the beginning of this Ninth Parliament. I want to assure them that, in spite of their dwindled numbers, as my Colleague, the Minority Leader, has already indicated, I believe in accommodation, consensus building, discipline, orderliness, and working together. I look forward to working with them and to ensure that the good people of Ghana, are well served by this Parliament.

Finally, Mr Speaker, I believe that I will succeed, and the main reason I will succeed is because your very good self is still in this Chamber. When I came into this Chamber 20 years ago, you were the leader of my Caucus, and I have learnt so much from you. You have risen from Minority Leader to Majority leader, served in the Executive Arm of Government, risen from a Deputy Speaker and now, the Rt Hon Speaker of the Parliament. So, I believe that you cannot afford to see me fail, and that is the reason I am very confident that I will succeed. On that note, Mr Speaker, I thank you, and I thank Colleagues.