Bagbin refers Mahama’s 3 Supreme Court nominations to Appointments Committee

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has referred two ministerial nominees to the Appointments Committee for vetting and consideration. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, and Mahama Ayariga, Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. The referral was made on Monday, August 24, 2026, during an emergency sitting of Parliament after the Speaker formally communicated the President’s nominations to the House.

Read also: Bagbin refers Mahama’s 3 Supreme Court nominations to Appointments Committee “I accordingly refer the two to the Appointments Committee for consideration and report to the House,” Speaker Bagbin announced. He subsequently reminded the Appointments Committee to take into account the limited timeframe for the emergency recall of Parliament. “I want to remind the House that the period I gave in my notice is for a sitting of one week and that should be taken into consideration by the Appointments Committee,” he said.

The Speaker explained that the Committee would have to complete its work within the available period to allow for the necessary consequential motions to be brought before the House in accordance with Parliament’s Standing Orders. Read also: Mahama officially nominates James Agalga as Acting Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, who currently serves as the Majority Leader, is expected to take responsibility for the Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs portfolio if approved by Parliament. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has been nominated to head the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.

The two nominees will now appear before the Appointments Committee for scrutiny before the Committee submits its report to the House for further consideration. Parliament has referred President John Dramani Mahama’s nominations of two Court of Appeal judges and former Ghana Bar Association (GBA) President to the Appointments Committee for consideration. The nominees are Justice Sophia Bernasko-Essah, Justice Amoako Asante and former GBA President Tony Forson.

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin formally communicated the nominations to the House during the emergency sitting on Monday, August 24, after reading the President’s letter on the matter. Speaker Bagbin directed the Appointments Committee to consider the nominations and submit its report to the House within the period covered by the notice of recall. “I accordingly refer these nominees to the Appointments Committee for consideration and report to the House within the period prescribed by the Notice of Recall,” the Speaker said.

He further indicated that the motions on the nominations must be considered within the one-week period of the urgent sitting. The referral forms part of the urgent parliamentary business for which President Mahama requested the recall of Parliament. The House is expected to scrutinise the qualifications and suitability of the three nominees before the Appointments Committee submits its report for consideration by the full House.