The Member of Parliament for Builsa North, James Agalga, has assumed the mantle of Majority Leader in Parliament, with an assurance to work hard to foster a deeper sense of consensus-building between the Majority and Minority Caucuses.
He assured the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and the entire Minority bench that his leadership approach would hinge first on consensus-building to foster unity in the House, saying that would enable Parliament to effectively deliver on its mandate as the legislative arm of government. "And if I can make compromises as and when necessary, I assure you I will give it to you, and I will reach out and consult, but at the same time I will work to ensure that the reset agenda of our President is accomplished for the betterment of all of us," he said.
In his acceptance speech as the new Leader of Government Business in the House on Thursday, Agalga also expressed his readiness to learn with humility and tap into the experience of his colleagues on the Majority Caucus bench. "But in doing so, I shall be spirited in providing the leadership that is most desirous in ensuring that government business thrives in this House," he said.
Agalga assumed the Majority leadership role after his predecessor, Mahama Ayariga, communicated to the Speaker of Parliament and the entire House the change in leadership effected by the national executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) before the House went on recess. The two leaders subsequently hugged each other to the admiration and cheers of members of the House before swapping seats.
Describing his new role as a learning curve, Agalga assured his colleagues he would draw on the wisdom and experience of the Speaker in the conduct of business in the House. He further assured the Parliamentary Service and the Clerk-to-Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, and his team, that he would cooperate with them as the new Majority Leader in advancing the course of parliamentary democracy.
Afenyo-Markin assured Agalga that he could find in him a good friend committed to enhancing consensus-building in Parliament. "James, those who have not gone through the process of being leaders would not understand what I am saying because they have not been part of our club. So, when we are talking about friendship, their interpretation is different but you will soon be introduced to the code of leadership," he said.
Earlier, Ayariga said he had no doubt that Agalga was worthy of leading the Majority Caucus and serving the entire House. "Having been here for a while and having chaired a number of committees, ranked on a number of committees, served as a deputy minister and, in the process, demonstrated competence and ability, I have no doubt that he will do well and excel as a leader," he said.
Afenyo-Markin said that through patience and hard work, Agalga had been elevated to the "very hot seat" of Leader of the House, a position in which a leader could sometimes feel lonely and have to endure situations in which everyone else held a contrary view. "But I can conclude by saying that carry your backbench along; find time for them and do not be too busy. Listen to their problems," he said, adding that Agalga would need to actively reach out to ministers on behalf of backbenchers rather than wait to be approached. "Sometimes, the difficulty of being on the government side in this Chamber is that when you come, the ministers may not even have time for you. But you must go and knock at doors as the Majority Leader and help them," he added.
