BY Grace Zigah
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the vacancies in the Ministries of Defence and Environment, Science and Technology will not be filled until early next year, dismissing public pressure for immediate appointments.
The President made the remarks on Tuesday, November 25, during a meeting with Muslim leaders at Jubilee House.
The two ministries have been without substantive leadership since the tragic deaths of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Murtala Muhammed, who were among eight people killed in a helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, while on a national assignment in the Ashanti Region.
Addressing the gathering, President Mahama urged the public to refrain from speculation regarding replacements.
“They say Allah gives and Allah takes. He took two of our comrades and we haven’t filled those positions yet,” he said, emphasizing the need for patience.
Already there are speculations that Dr Zenator Agyeman-Rawlings, the daughter of late JJ Rawlings as the likely Environment Minister, and Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak now the Interior as the Defence Minister but the President noted that rumours circulating about imminent appointments were premature.
“I can see people speculating he is going to appoint new Defence minister, new Environment minister. We are not in a hurry,” he stated.
According to Mahama, the government intends to make the necessary appointments after the holiday season.
“We will do those appointments next year. After the Christmas and the holiday, we will fill those positions,” he assured.
He further encouraged the public to ignore claims that new ministers would be announced immediately.
“So those speculating about somebody going to be appointed tomorrow and all that, just take your time, go and enjoy Christmas and after Christmas we will fill those ones,” he added.
The announcement comes amid growing public interest in the leadership vacuum in key ministries, highlighting the challenges the administration faces in maintaining continuity following the helicopter tragedy that shook the nation earlier this year.
