Mahama Ayariga has been replaced in the Sports Ministry by Alhaji Dr. Mustapha Ahmed following weeks of speculation.
The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central has been reassigned as the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation to end his less than one-year stay at the Sports Ministry.
Ayariga replaced Elvis Afriyie Ankrah last June in the aftermath of Ghana’s early from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
One of the first moves initiated by Ayariga fresh into his appointment was to set up a three-member committee to probe into Ghana’s disastrous campaign at the World Cup.
His committee was eventually elevated into a Presidential Commission whose report s yet to be presented to President John Mahama after the completion of its work late last year.
Ayariga’s reshuffling has been speculated weeks ago after the Black Stars’ return from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations – where he is alleged to have disrespected journalists for being critical on the amount expended by the state for the tournament staged in Equatorial Guinea.
He was even accused of a possible conflict of interest after his purchase of second tier club Tamale All Stars – a charge that has been debunked by officials of the Ghana FA.
The lawyer is now being replaced by Alhaji Dr. Mustapha Ahmed who is also hails from Bawku and is a Member of Parliament for the Ayawaso East Constituency.
He was a Minister of State at the Presidency prior to his appointment as Minister of Sports.