Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has appointed acting ministers to temporarily fill key cabinet positions following the death of two ministers in a military helicopter crash on Wednesday.
The crash, which involved a Z-9 helicopter operated by the Ghana Air Forces (GAF), occurred en route from the capital city of Accra to Obuasi, a prominent gold-mining town in the southern Ashanti Region. The aircraft, carrying high-ranking officials on official duty, lost contact mid-flight and was later confirmed to have crashed, killing all passengers on board, including Ghana’s Minister of Defence and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.
In a statement released by the Communications Directorate of the Presidency on Thursday, President Mahama described the event as “a national tragedy” and ordered the Ghanaian flag to be flown at half-mast in honour of the deceased.
“This follows the tragic demise of the substantive Ministers for Defence and Environment, Science and Technology, in yesterday’s fatal helicopter crash on their way to an event in Obuasi,” the statement read.
In response to the urgent need for continuity in governance, Mahama directed Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to assume additional responsibilities as acting Minister of Defence. Likewise, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, has been asked to serve as acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.
“President John Dramani Mahama has asked the Minister for Finance, Hon Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, to take on additional responsibility as Defence Minister,” the statement read.
“The President has also asked the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, to act as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology until further notice.”
President Mahama also suspended public engagements in the immediate aftermath of the crash and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
