President John Dramani Mahama has made substantive appointments to the ministries of Defence and Environment, Science and Technology, while also reassigning two ministers to new portfolios in a minor reshuffle that features two new appointments.
In accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution, the President, through the Speaker of Parliament, has nominated Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, and Mahama Ayariga as Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The two nominations are subject to parliamentary approval before the appointees can be formally sworn into office.
Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, who has been in charge at the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, takes charge at the Ministry of Defence.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings and Mr Adjei’s ministries are getting substantive ministers for the first time in a year after the original appointees passed on in the tragic helicopter crash of August 6, 2025.
A statement released by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, yesterday, also named the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, as the minister-designate for the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The statement also announced the reassignment of Banda MP, Ahmed Ibrahim, from the Local Government Ministry to the Works, Housing and Water Resources Ministry.
Until now, the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, had the additional responsibility of Defence since Dr Edward Omane Boamah passed on, while the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, had the additional responsibility at the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology following the passing of Dr Murtala Muhammed.
The reshuffle comes as part of President Mahama's ongoing efforts to strengthen his administration and ensure effective delivery of the government's development agenda.
Parliament is expected to vet the nominees in due course.
Meanwhile, the reassigned ministers are expected to assume their new portfolios immediately to ensure continuity of government business.
As Mr Ayariga leaves his position in Parliament as Majority Leader, the National Democratic Congress has named MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, as his successor in the legislature.
Profiles
Each of the four ministers take their new portfolios with varied individual strengths.
Born on May 12, 1974 Mr Ayariga is currently the Majority Leader in Parliament.
The National Democratic Congress MP for Bawku Central in the Upper East Region is a lawyer with a sterling political career spanning over two decades.
In 2009, he became the Presidential Spokesman to President J.E.A. Mills before taking on ministerial appointments later.
During the first term of President Mahama's administration (2012-2016), he was the Minister of Information and Media Relations and later the Minister of Youth and Sports.
Dr Agyemang-Rawlings
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, now 48, currently serves as three-term MP for Klottey Korle in the Greater Accra Region.
She is a medical doctor, having received her education at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
The daughter of former President Jerry John Rawlings entered the political domain in 2015 in the run-up to the 2016 elections.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings has been a prominent voice in the NDC, focusıng on urban development, healthcare, and youth empowerment.
Ahmed Ibrahim
The MP for Banda, 52, is currently serving his fourth term in Parliament, having won successive elections since 2012.
Mr Ibrahim holds an Executive Master's degree in Governance and Leadership, and has extensive experience in legislative processes and public administration.
He is a seasoned strategist within the NDC caucus, having navigated the transition of his constituency from Tain to Banda Constituency.
Kenneth Gilbert Adjei
Mr Adjei is a career civil servant and security analyst with a background in government administration and project management.
In terms of politics, he served as a Deputy Minister of Defence during the first term of President John Dramani Mahama (2012 -2026).
He is known for his technical approach to the security sector and policy implementation governance.
