President John Dramani Mahama has named two acting ministers to fill key cabinet roles left vacant following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of the Defence and Environment Ministers.
In a statement issued by the Presidency, the President directed:
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister for Finance, to assume additional responsibility as Minister for Defence.
Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, to serve as Acting Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology.
The appointments come a day after the fatal military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, which killed Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, among others.
“This follows the tragic demise of the substantive Ministers… in yesterday’s fatal helicopter crash on their way to an event in Obuasi,” the statement, signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, read.
The Presidency has declared three days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast across the country.
The government has assured Ghanaians of a smooth continuation of critical state functions while investigations into the crash proceed.