Mahama appoints temporary ministers to take Omane and Murtala’s places.
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Omane Boamah and Murtala Mohammed have been replaced by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as acting Defence Minister and Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Kofi Buah as temporary Environment, Science, and Technology Minister, respectively, by President John Dramani Mahama.
The two substantive ministers were killed in a helicopter crash one day prior to the appointments.
Spokesman Felix Kwakye Ofosu revealed in a statement released by the Presidency, “President John Dramani Mahama has requested that Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance, assume additional responsibilities as the Minister of Defense.
Hon. Emmanuel Kofi Arnah Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has also been asked by the President to serve as Environment, Science, and Technology Minister in the interim.
Defense Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed were among the eight people who died in yesterday’s deadly crash of a Ghana Armed Forces Z9 helicopter in Adansi Akrofuom, which prompted the revision.
Shortly after taking off from Accra, the aircraft headed to Obuasi for a mining development program when it crashed.
Flags were ordered to fly at half-mast nationwide after Chief of Staff Julius Debrah referred to the situation as a “national tragedy.”
Yesterday, all of the victims’ bodies were brought to Accra and are now at the 37 Military Hospital.
As plans for the state funerals of the departed officials get underway, the temporary ministerial appointments guarantee that government functions continue.
It is anticipated that both acting ministers would take up their new duties right away while keeping their existing portfolios.
The appointments will stay in place “until further notice,” according to the Presidency’s announcement, with permanent replacements anticipated to be revealed following the national mourning period.
Eight senior government leaders and military personnel lost their lives in a recent tragic military helicopter crash, and the country is in grief for the dead.
Source: newsthemegh.com
