President Mahama Appoints Ato Forson and Emmanuel Kofi Buah as Acting Defence and Environment Ministers
President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as acting Defence Minister and Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah as acting Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, following the tragic helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, that claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, along with six others.
The announcement was made in a statement by Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
The interim appointments, effective until further notice, aim to ensure continuity in governance amid the national mourning period declared from August 7 to August 9, 2025. Dr. Ato Forson, a chartered accountant and MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam since 2009, brings his extensive experience in finance and governance to the Defence portfolio. Emmanuel Kofi Buah, a five-term MP for Ellembelle with a background in energy policy and public administration, will oversee the Environment, Science, and Technology portfolio, leveraging his prior role as Minister for Energy and Petroleum (2013–2016).
The crash, involving a Ghana Air Force Z9 helicopter en route to Obuasi, also killed Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former Parliamentary Candidate Samuel Aboagye, and crew members Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampedu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, with adverse weather cited as a possible factor.
