Mahama’s announcement of Agalga as Majority Leader did not follow procedure – Bagbin

Parliamentary Speaker Alban Bagbin has declared that President John Dramani Mahama's announcement of James Agalga as the new Majority Leader of the Builsa North MP's parliamentary caucus was not in line with parliamentary protocol. According to Speaker Bagbin, the President lacks the power to inform the Speaker about changes in parliamentary leadership.

He explained that under Parliament's Standing Orders, only the General Secretary of the political party can formally inform the Speaker about a change in the leadership of the Majority or Minority Caucus.

Speaking on Monday, August 24, 2026, when Parliament resumed, Speaker Bagbin emphasized that the prescribed procedure must be followed before Agalga can be officially acknowledged as Majority Leader. He defined the Majority Leader as a Member of Parliament chosen by the Majority Caucus to lead the House in parliamentary proceedings. Bagbin condemned the communication from the Presidency as erroneous, as the President does not have the authority to inform the Speaker about changes in parliamentary leadership.

He clarified that the current Standing Orders explicitly define the roles of Majority and Minority Leaders. According to him, the Majority Leader is a Member of Parliament selected by the Majority Caucus to represent the House in parliamentary functions. Speaker Bagbin further explained that Agalga could only formally assume the position once the necessary communication from the governing party was received and the decision of the Majority Caucus was conveyed to the House.

Until such communication is received, Mahama Ayariga is still recognized as the Majority Leader. This clarification implies that Agalga's formal recognition as Majority Leader depends on the completion of the required parliamentary and party procedures.