President John Dramani Mahama has made significant changes to his government, nominating Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology while moving other senior officials to new portfolios in a major ministerial reshuffle.
The Presidency announced the changes on Friday, August 7, 2026, as the Mahama administration moves to fill key vacancies and realign parts of its ministerial team. Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, will take over the Environment Ministry if approved by Parliament.
The position became vacant following the death of Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed in the August 6, 2025 military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including then-Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah.
Zanetor’s nomination represents a major elevation for the daughter of late former President Jerry John Rawlings and former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings. She has represented Klottey Korle in Parliament since 2017 and has previously worked on issues connected to environment, science and technology.
The reshuffle also sees Kenneth Gilbert Adjei moved from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources to the Ministry of Defence. He is expected to replace the late Dr Omane Boamah, subject to the required parliamentary process.
Ahmed Ibrahim, who previously headed the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has meanwhile been reassigned to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
In another major political move, Majority Leader and Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga has been nominated as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The nominations of Dr Agyeman-Rawlings and Mahama Ayariga have been submitted to Parliament through the Speaker in line with Article 78(1) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. They will require parliamentary approval before officially taking office.
The shake-up comes almost exactly one year after the devastating helicopter tragedy left two important ministries without substantive ministers.
With Zanetor entering the ministerial spotlight and several experienced figures switching portfolios, attention will now turn to Parliament—and whether the reshuffle will deliver the fresh momentum President Mahama is seeking for his administration.
