President John Dramani Mahama has nominated Klottey Korle Member of Parliament, Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, as Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, in his first major cabinet reshuffle aimed at filling key vacancies and strengthening his administration.
If approved by Parliament, Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings will succeed the late Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who died in the August 6, 2025 military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight people, including former Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah.
The President has also nominated Bawku Central MP and Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, while reassigning two serving ministers to new portfolios.
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 ministerial nominees can assume office.
Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, daughter of former President Jerry John Rawlings and former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, has represented the Klottey Korle Constituency in Parliament since 2017. Over the years, she has served on Parliament’s Environment, Science and Technology Committee and has been a strong advocate for environmental protection, climate resilience and sustainable urban development, particularly measures to address perennial flooding in Accra.
Her nomination follows months of speculation that she would be elevated to the Cabinet, with many political observers viewing the appointment as recognition of her growing role within government and Parliament.
The Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry has remained without a substantive minister since the death of Dr Murtala Mohammed, leaving the portfolio vacant for nearly a year.
As part of the reshuffle, President Mahama has reassigned Kenneth Gilbert Adjei from the Ministry of Works and Housing to the Ministry of Defence. Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who has been serving as acting Defence Minister following the death of Dr Omane Boamah, is expected to hand over the ministry once Mr Adjei receives parliamentary approval.
Ahmed Ibrahim, Member of Parliament for Banda, has also been reassigned from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to head the newly designated Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
The changes were announced in a statement signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications.
All ministerial nominees are expected to appear before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for vetting before their nominations are considered by the House for approval.
The reshuffle marks President Mahama’s first significant reorganisation of his Cabinet since assuming office and is intended to strengthen government operations while filling critical vacancies created by the August 2025 helicopter tragedy, one of the deadliest incidents involving senior government officials in Ghana’s recent history.
