President John Dramani Mahama has announced a cabinet reshuffle almost exactly one year after the military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and six others.
In a statement issued by the Presidency on Friday, August 7, the President nominated Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, MP, as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, while Mahama Ayariga, MP, was nominated as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. Both appointments are subject to parliamentary approval.
The President also reassigned Kenneth Gilbert Adjei to serve as Minister for Defence, replacing the late Dr OEdward mane Boamah, while Ahmed Ibrahim, MP, was moved to head the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
The changes come a year after the tragic 6th August 2025 Ghana Air Force helicopter crash, which killed Dr Omane Boamah and Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed while they were travelling with other government officials and security personnel to Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining programme.
Dr Omane Boamah, a medical doctor and former Communications Minister, was serving as Defence Minister at the time of his death. Murtala Muhammed, the Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and former Deputy Trade Minister, headed the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.
The crash, which claimed the lives of all eight people on board, plunged the nation into mourning and created vacancies in two key ministries.
The latest reshuffle completes the replacement of the late ministers, with Kenneth Gilbert Adjei taking over the Defence portfolio and Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings nominated to lead the Environment, Science and Technology Ministry, pending Parliament’s approval.
