The newly appointed Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has emphasized that leadership positions should be conferred by peers and not actively sought after.
Speaking on PM Express on Tuesday, January 28, the Bawku Central MP shared his thoughts on his new role and the principles that have guided his political journey.
“It is exciting to be sitting there,” he began, reflecting on his appointment following the swearing-in of his predecessor, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, as Finance Minister.
“In my career, I have been an assemblyman, an MP, Deputy Minister of State, Minister of State, and even a presidential spokesperson. The only thing I really have never been is to lead that caucus in the chamber.
“So, it comes with some sense of satisfaction that ultimately, I am leading in the chamber at a time when we have such an overwhelming majority and our party is in power.”
Mr. Ayariga expressed gratitude to his colleagues in Parliament and the leadership of the NDC, acknowledging their trust in him for the position.
“I really thank my colleagues for deciding to support my nomination as their leader, and I thank the party leadership. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, who has been a former member of Parliament and understands the House very well, has been instrumental.
“The General Secretary was my colleague for about eight to twelve years, and President John Mahama, the leader of our party, who was also a colleague in Parliament and is now my boss, has shown incredible faith in me.”
He reflected on his political career with pride but stressed that he has never actively pursued positions of leadership.
“To tell you the truth, it’s not a position that I have ever actively gone out there to seek. At all times when the party is about to choose leadership, my name has always been out there. But I’ve never really gone out there pursuing it,” the former Sports Minister revealed.
For Mr Ayariga, the essence of leadership lies in the confidence of one’s peers rather than personal ambition.
“I believe that leadership should be conferred on you when your colleagues, your peers, develop enough confidence in you to believe that you should lead. And so, I don’t go out there seeking positions.
“All my bosses, they will tell you, I’ve never really gone out there to seek a position. I always wait. If my peers, my colleagues, and my party people feel that I can play a certain role very well, and they approach me, I just proceed.”
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