The Executive Director of the Africa Center for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr. Rasheed Draman has expressed his support for the appointment of Hon. Mahama Ayariga as the new Majority Leader in Ghana’s 9th Parliament.
However, this appointment comes as a response to President John Mahama’s decision to nominate the current Majority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, as Finance Minister, necessitating a shift in parliamentary leadership within the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dr. Draman provided reasons why Hon. Ayariga is a fitting choice for this significant role. Dr. Draman believes that Hon. Ayariga’s temperament will be pivotal in fostering a more collaborative atmosphere in Parliament. He indicated;
“We have a situation now where the NDC has a supermajority. As much as possible, we want to reduce all the challenges, the pathologies that come with supermajorities in Parliament. To do that, I think you need very cool heads. You need people who are very analytical, people who are not overly partisan to lead the charge.”
Dr. Rasheed Draman Executive Director, (ACEPA)
Dr. Draman emphasized that this level of introspection and objectivity is essential for the effective leadership of a parliamentary majority. He eulogized;
“Honorable Mahama Ayariga, over the years, has proved that he’s very analytical. He’s a very thoughtful person. Even when his party is wrong, he accepts that and he points it out. So I believe that choice is a very excellent one, and we look forward to his leadership.”
Dr. Rasheed Draman Executive Director, (ACEPA)
Dr. Draman expressed optimism about Hon. Ayariga’s leadership in the composition of the 9th Parliament. He emphasized;
“We look forward to a situation where he leads the group to give space to the minority to play their role so that we can have an effective democracy in our country. And I think he is somebody we can trust to do that.”
Dr. Rasheed Draman Executive Director, (ACEPA)
When asked to compare Hon. Ayariga’s style of leadership with that of the outgone Majority Leader, the current Minority Leader (Alexander Afenyo-Markin), Dr. Draman highlighted the distinct approaches each leader brings to the parliamentary floor. He emphasized;
“They all have their styles, and I don’t want to make any comparison at the risk of incurring anybody’s displeasure, suffice it to say, we are analyzing Mahama Ayariga, and I think he’s very calm. We haven’t seen him in any dramatic kind of display, even when he has to make his point on the floor of Parliament over the years.”
Dr. Rasheed Draman Executive Director, (ACEPA)
Experience in Governance, Different Approaches to Leadership
According to Dr. Draman, Hon. Ayarirga’s leadership approach equips him with a comprehensive understanding of governance, which he can bring to his new role. He added;
“He has a legal background but most importantly, he has played a role as a member of the executive under previous NDC governments. So, he has seen both sides of the governance structure that we have.”
Dr. Rasheed Draman Executive Director, (ACEPA)
While discussing the different styles of parliamentary leadership, Dr. Draman acknowledged the Minority Leader’s more confrontational approach.
“Maybe [the Minority Leader] thinks that approach is what gets him results,” Dr. Draman said, in comparing Hon. Afenyo-Markin to Hon. Ayariga’s approach.
In conclusion, Dr. Rashid Draman’s assessment of Hon. Mahama Ayariga’s appointment as Majority Leader highlights a blend of calm, analytical leadership, and a thoughtful approach to parliamentary duties, as well as his experience, coupled with a demeanor conducive to fostering democratic processes, positions Hon. Ayariga as a capable leader for Ghana’s 9th Parliament.
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