President John Dramani Mahama has announced that substantive Ministers for Defence and for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation will be appointed in early 2026.
The President made the disclosure on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, when he hosted a delegation of Muslim leaders at the Jubilee House in Accra.
Addressing concerns over the two vacant portfolios following the tragic deaths of the immediate-past Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, and Environment Minister, Dr Murtala Muhammed, President Mahama urged Ghanaians to desist from speculating about imminent appointments.
“They say Allah gives and Allah takes. He took two of our comrades and we haven’t filled those positions yet,” President Mahama said, referring to the two ministers who perished along with six others in a military helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, while travelling to the Ashanti Region on official duty.
Dismissing widespread media speculation and social media rumours about possible replacements before the end of the year, the President stated emphatically: “I can see people speculating that he is going to appoint a new Defence Minister, a new Environment Minister. We are not in a hurry.”
He assured the gathering that the appointments would be made only after the Christmas and New Year festivities.
“We will do those appointments next year. After the holidays, the Christmas and the holiday, we will fill those positions,” he stressed.
President Mahama further urged the public to ignore claims of announcements in the coming days.
“So those speculating that somebody is going to be appointed tomorrow and all that, just take your time, go and enjoy Christmas, and after Christmas we will fill those ones,” he said.
The two ministries have been without substantive ministers since the August tragedy, with the respective deputies and chief directors overseeing day-to-day administration.