President John Dramani Mahama has nominated Bawku Central Member of Parliament and Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, as the new Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
The nomination forms part of a major cabinet reshuffle and ministerial changes announced by President Mahama as his government moves to fill key vacant positions and strengthen the administration.
The nominations were submitted to Parliament on Friday, August 7, 2026, in accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution. The nominees must receive parliamentary approval before they can officially assume their respective ministerial positions.
Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings Nominated as Environment Minister
President Mahama has also nominated Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, the Klottey Korle MP, as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.
If approved by Parliament, Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings will take over the Environment, Science and Technology portfolio following the death of former minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.
The legislator, who has represented Klottey Korle in Parliament since 2017, is the daughter of former President Jerry John Rawlings and former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawlings.
Her nomination follows months of speculation about a possible elevation to Ghana’s Cabinet. She has previously served on Parliament’s Environment, Science and Technology Committee and has advocated policies aimed at tackling environmental challenges, including flooding and climate-related risks.
The Environment, Science and Technology Ministry had been without a substantive minister following the tragic August 2025 helicopter crash, which claimed the lives of eight people, including Dr Murtala Mohammed and former Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah.
Kenneth Adjei Reassigned to Defence Ministry
As part of the latest Ghana government ministerial reshuffle, President Mahama has reassigned Kenneth Gilbert Adjei from the Ministry of Works and Housing to the Ministry of Defence.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who has been serving as Acting Defence Minister following the death of Dr Omane Boamah, is expected to hand over the portfolio after Parliament approves the new nomination.
Ahmed Ibrahim Moves to Works, Housing and Water Resources
President Mahama has also reassigned Ahmed Ibrahim, the Member of Parliament for Banda, to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
The latest changes are expected to help the government fill important ministerial vacancies and improve coordination across key sectors of the Ghanaian economy and public administration.
The appointments were announced in a statement signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications.
The nominees are expected to appear before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for vetting. Following the vetting process, their nominations will be presented to Parliament for final approval.
The latest Mahama cabinet reshuffle comes as the President continues efforts to strengthen his administration and fill positions left vacant following the August 2025 helicopter tragedy, which claimed the lives of eight officials, including two Cabinet ministers.
Source: newsthemegh.com