He also co-founded and was the executive director of the Legal Resources Centre, an organization aimed at promoting human rights, community development and social justice.

[8] Ayariga was the member of Ghana's parliament for the Bawku Central constituency from 2005 but lost his seat in the 2008 Elections to Adamu Dramani Sakande of the NPP.

The seat became vacant when Adamu was convicted and jailed by a court for having stood for the election while being the citizen of another country which is against the Ghana constitution.

[1] In 2009, when Prof John Evans Atta Mills won the elections, Ayariga became the Presidential Spokesman before he was subsequently appointed Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.

[16][15] He was elected over Amidu Mamudu Sisala of the Peoples’ National Convention, Hawa Yakubu of the New Patriotic Party, Yussif Taiban Kundima of the Convention People's Party, Sadat Amadu and Abubakar Jibreel Ustarz both independent candidates.

Boakye Agyarko, a nominee for the Energy Ministry of paying the minority caucus on the committee bribes for his approval.

The report claims Mahama Ayariga could not substantiate his accusation against Mr. Agyarko and therefore should unconditionally render apology to the house.

[25] In June 2020, the Speaker of Parliament rejected Mahama Ayariga's challenging the Electoral Commission's decision to make the Ghana card and passports the sole valid identification for registering to vote in the 2020 elections.

[5][28] His father, Frank Abdulai Ayariga, also served as member of parliament for the Bawku Constituency during the third republic administration of Hilla Limann.