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President John Dramani Mahama has made it clear that he will not rush to appoint new Defence and Environment Ministers following the deaths of the two officeholders in the tragic military helicopter crash earlier this year.
Addressing members of the Ghana Muslim Mission during a courtesy call at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, November 25, the President dispelled growing speculation about imminent ministerial appointments, saying the vacancies will be filled after the Christmas and New Year holidays.
“We’re not in a hurry,” President Mahama said. “I’ll do those appointments next year after the holiday – the Christmas and the New Year. So those speculating about somebody being appointed tomorrow, just take your time, go and enjoy Christmas, and after Christmas we will take a decision on those ones.”
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The President stressed that his administration’s commitment to disciplined governance and fiscal restraint remains paramount, especially as the country works to consolidate economic stability.
“When we saw the economic numbers and the way things were haywire, we realised we had bitten off quite a lot. It’s taken hard work and fiscal discipline. We’ve had to be disciplined—all the appointees,” he noted.
Mahama reiterated that the government has kept its pledge to maintain a lean ministerial team, contrary to public doubt.
“We made a promise not to appoint more than 60 ministers… As I speak today, we’re working with 58 ministers because, unfortunately, Allah gives and Allah takes. He took two of our comrades, and we haven’t filled those positions yet,” he said.
Background: Deadly Helicopter Crash That Claimed Eight Lives
The two vacant portfolios follow the fatal crash of a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9EH helicopter (GHF 631) on August 6 in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region. The aircraft, which departed Accra at 9:12 a.m. for Obuasi on an anti-galamsey operation, lost radar contact before going down.
All eight persons on board perished. The victims included:
- Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
- Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology
- Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
- Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice-Chair
- Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate
- Sqn. Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
- Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
The tragedy left two critical cabinet roles vacant and sparked widespread speculation over possible replacements—speculation the President insists will only be addressed in 2026.
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