President Mahama Reshuffles Some Appointees
President John Dramani Mahama has nominated Klottey Korle Member of Parliament, Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, as part of a cabinet shake-up aimed at filling key government positions.
Subsequently, the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has also been nominated for the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. As part of the changes, President Mahama reassigned Kenneth Gilbert Adjei from the Ministry of Works and Housing to the Ministry of Defence.
Former Local Government Minister, Ahmed Ibrahim, has been moved to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
If Dr. Zanetor passes her vetting with Parliament’s vetting committee, she will then replace the late Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, and Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Murtala Mohammed.
Dr. Zanetor’s appointment comes after months of speculation over her possible elevation to cabinet, as the legislator having served on Parliament’s Environment, Science and Technology Committee and advocated for measures to address environmental challenges, including flooding.
The nominations were submitted to Parliament on Friday, August 7, 2026, in accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires parliamentary approval before ministers can assume office.
The Environment and the Defence portfolios had remained without substantive ministers following the death of Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed and Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah in the August 2025 helicopter crash.
In lieu of this, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Finance Minister, who had been acting as Defence Minister since the death of Dr Omane Boamah, is expected to hand over the portfolio once the new nominee is approved.
The appointments were announced in a statement signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications. The nominees are expected to appear before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for vetting before their names are submitted to the House for approval.
This crucial changes come as part of President Mahama’s continued efforts to reset and replenish his administration and fill positions that became vacant following the August 2025 tragedy that claimed the lives of eight officials, including two cabinet ministers.
