President Mahama assigns Dr Ato Forson, Kofi Buah as Acting Defence and Environment Ministers

President John Dramani Mahama has assigned Minister for Finance Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to take on additional responsibility as Acting Defence Minister.

The President has also asked Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah to act as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology until further notice, according to a press statement issued on Thursday by Government Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

The appointments follow the tragic deaths of the substantive ministers, Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who perished in the helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday morning.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu revealed that the helicopter was carrying the officials to an event in Obuasi when the fatal crash occurred.

Dr. Ato Forson will now oversee both the Finance Ministry and Defence Ministry portfolios while maintaining his role as Minister for Finance. 

The dual responsibility places him in charge of two of the government’s most important ministries during this period of national mourning.

Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah will similarly handle both the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry and the Environment, Science and Technology Ministry until the President makes permanent appointments to fill the vacant positions.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD