ACCRA, GHANA — President John Mahama has appointed temporary replacements to fill two cabinet positions left vacant after a helicopter crash tragically claimed the lives of Ghana’s Defence Minister and the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.
In a statement released by the presidency’s communications directorate, the president directed Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister for Finance, to assume additional duties as acting Defence Minister. Similarly, Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has been asked to act as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology “until further notice.”
The appointments follow the death of the two ministers, who were on an official journey from Accra to Obuasi when the Z-9 helicopter belonging to the Ghana armed forces crashed on Wednesday. Following the incident, President Mahama described the event as a national tragedy, suspended official activities, and directed that flags be flown at half-mast to honor the victims.
