By Clement Akoloh
Accra, September 5, 2026 — The newly appointed Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has paid a courtesy call on the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, to seek his blessings and prayers as he assumes responsibility for the ministry.
Mr Ayariga visited the National Chief Imam at his residence at Fadama on Friday, August 4, 2026, describing Sheikh Sharubutu as his “grandfather” and expressing appreciation for the support he received from him throughout the ministerial appointment process.
According to the Minister, the National Chief Imam demonstrated his support by dispatching a delegation led by his Public Relations Officer, Sheikh Arimeyaw, and the Executive Secretary to Parliament during his vetting.
He said the Chief Imam again sent the same delegation to witness and support him during his swearing-in ceremony after President John Dramani Mahama announced the date.
“I only assumed the office, I believe, Tuesday afternoon, when we did the formal handing over at the ministry. And today being the first Friday since I assumed office, I decided to come first and foremost to him, to seek his blessings and his prayers,” Mr Ayariga said.
He added that the visit was also to thank the National Chief Imam for the support he had offered him during both the parliamentary vetting and swearing-in.
“The task at hand is enormous”
Mr Ayariga said his new responsibilities were extensive, requiring the effective coordination of Ghana’s local government structures, traditional institutions and religious bodies.
“I have been assigned the responsibility of managing 261 metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies and their chief executives and 16 regions and their regional ministers and the structures at that level,” he said.
He noted that his mandate also included working with and supporting the country’s chieftaincy institutions as well as the various religious bodies.
Beyond these responsibilities, the Minister identified sanitation as one of the major national challenges falling under his portfolio.
“So this is an enormous responsibility. And it is a responsibility that can only be efficiently, successfully executed with the support of the prayers of my grandfather, the National Chief Imam,” he said.
Mr Ayariga said he therefore considered it important to seek the Chief Imam’s blessings and prayers to enable him to effectively discharge the mandate entrusted to him by President John Dramani Mahama.
Appreciation to Chief Imam
The Minister also conveyed President Mahama’s appreciation to the National Chief Imam for his continued support and prayers for the President and his administration.
He attributed some of the President’s successes to the spiritual guidance and prayers of the National Chief Imam.
Mr Ayariga also acknowledged the significance of his relationship with Sheikh Sharubutu, describing himself as the Chief Imam’s “son” who had been elevated to public office.
Chief Imam prays for Ayariga, Mahama
The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, in response, prayed for divine guidance, good health and strength of body and mind for the Minister.
He stressed that the successful implementation of the Minister’s responsibilities would require peace and harmony in the country.
The Chief Imam said maintaining peace and security remained a central theme of his prayers for Ghana and other countries in the sub-region.
He also prayed for President John Dramani Mahama, asking Allah to assist him in implementing his ideas and vision for the development of Ghana.
The National Chief Imam further extended his prayers to members of President Mahama’s government, urging them to support and follow the President’s leadership to ensure the success of the administration.
Source: parliamentnews360.com
