President John Mahama says he is in no rush to appoint replacements for the late Defence and Environment Ministers, assuring that the positions will be filled next year after the Christmas holidays.

Speaking at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, November 25, during a courtesy call by the Ghana Muslim Mission, the President addressed speculations surrounding the ministerial vacancies created by the tragic helicopter crash that killed both ministers and six other officials.

According to him, governing with discipline and focus has been crucial in stabilising the economy, and hasty appointments will not be made to satisfy political expectations.

“When we saw the economic numbers and all that, and I mean the way things were haywire, we realised that we had really bitten quite a lot and that God should help us to have the jaws and the mouth to be able to chew what we had bitten,” President Mahama said.

“And happily, he listened to our prayers. It’s taking a lot of hard work, it’s taking fiscal discipline, we’ve had to be disciplined — all the appointees.”

He reiterated that his government has honoured its promise to keep the number of ministers under 60, despite doubts from critics.

“We made a promise not to appoint more than 60 ministers, and some people said how are you going to work with only 60 ministers. As I speak today, we’re working with 58 ministers because, unfortunately, Allah gives and Allah takes. He took two of our comrades, and we haven’t filled those positions yet,” he noted.

Responding to rumours of imminent appointments, President Mahama said, “I can see people speculating, he’s going to appoint a new Defence Minister, a new Environment Minister.

"We’re not in a hurry. I’ll do those appointments next year after the holiday - the Christmas and the New Year. We’ll fill those positions, and so those speculating about somebody going to be appointed tomorrow and all that, just take your time, go and enjoy Christmas and then after Christmas we will take a decision on those ones.”

Background

On August 6, a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9EH military helicopter (tail number GHF 631) crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region while en route to Obuasi on an anti-illegal mining operation.

The aircraft departed Accra at about 9:12 a.m. before losing radar contact.

All eight persons on board were killed. The victims included:
• Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
• Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology
• Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
• Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice-Chair
• Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate
• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
• Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu
• Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah

The tragedy has left two key cabinet portfolios vacant, prompting widespread speculation about replacements, speculation the President says will have to wait until 2026.