President John Dramani Mahama has challenged newly sworn-in ministers Mahama Ayariga and Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings to make measurable results and public trust the benchmarks of their time in office.
The President said their appointments to the Ministries of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and Environment, Science and Technology respectively, came with a responsibility to serve Ghanaians with integrity, fairness and accountability.
He gave the charge after administering the constitutional oaths to the two ministers on Saturday, August 29, following their approval by Parliament.
President Mahama said occupying a public office should not be viewed as an achievement in itself, stressing that Ghanaians expect government appointees to translate their mandates into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
“Let me remind you that the Ghanaian people expect results, they expect integrity, accessibility and accountability,” he said.
He urged the ministers to remain accessible to the public and pay close attention to the concerns of citizens as they discharge their responsibilities.
According to him, effective public service requires officials to respond to citizens’ concerns with urgency while ensuring that decisions are based on fairness, the law and the broader public interest.
“Be firm where firmness is required. Be fair where fairness is required but always remember to remain humble,” President Mahama advised.
He also encouraged the ministers to rely on professional advice and respect the institutions and officials working under their leadership.
The President stressed that prudent management of public resources must remain a priority, warning that every decision taken by the ministers should be capable of withstanding scrutiny.
“Listen to professional advice, respect the institutions under your leadership and ensure that public resources are managed prudently,” he said.
President Mahama further urged the two ministers to ensure that their actions and policies meet the standards of legality, fairness and public interest.
Mahama Ayariga is expected to focus on local governance, decentralisation, chieftaincy and engagement with religious institutions, while Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings assumes responsibility for environmental protection, science, technology and related national development policies.
Their induction into office comes as the government seeks to strengthen performance and accountability across the public sector.
The President’s directive therefore places emphasis not only on the successful execution of the ministers’ respective mandates but also on how they exercise authority and manage public resources.
For the two ministers, the immediate task is to convert the confidence placed in them through their appointments into visible results while maintaining the integrity and public accountability expected of holders of high public office.
