Mahama nominates Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings as Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology

President John Dramani Mahama has announced a ministerial reshuffle, nominating Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister-designate for the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, while reassigning several ministers in a move aimed at strengthening his administration.

The changes were announced in a statement issued on Thursday, August 7, 2026, by the Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

Under the reshuffle, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has been nominated to head the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, subject to parliamentary approval.

If approved by Parliament, she will assume responsibility for overseeing Ghana's environmental protection policies, scientific research, technological innovation and climate-related programmes.

Her nomination comes following the death of the ministry's former sector minister, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, who was among eight people killed in the Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.

President Mahama has also nominated Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga as Minister-designate for the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

The appointment is subject to vetting and approval by Parliament.

If confirmed, Mahama Ayariga will oversee local governance, decentralisation, chieftaincy affairs and the supervision of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies across the country.

As part of the reshuffle, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, who previously served as Minister for Works and Housing, has been reassigned as Minister-designate for Defence.

He is expected to lead the ministry following the passing of former Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, who also died in the August 6, 2025 helicopter crash.

The reshuffle also sees Ahmed Ibrahim moved from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.

In his new role, he will oversee government policies relating to public infrastructure, housing development, water resources management and sanitation projects.

The nominations of Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings and Mahama Ayariga come almost exactly one year after the tragic military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight senior government officials and military personnel while on official duty.

The crash, which occurred on August 6, 2025, resulted in the deaths of Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, NDC National Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and three Ghana Armed Forces officers.

The latest appointments are expected to restore full leadership to key ministries affected by the tragedy while supporting the government's ongoing policy implementation agenda.

The ministerial nominees will appear before Parliament's Appointments Committee for vetting before their appointments can be confirmed.