President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, to take on additional responsibility as Minister for Defence and Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah is expected to act as Environment, Science and Technology Minister.

This was announced in a press statement issued on Thursday, August 7, by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President.

These appointments come in the wake of the tragic deaths of the substantive ministers for defence and environment, science and technology, who lost their lives in a fatal helicopter crash the previous day while travelling to an event in Obuasi.

The high-ranking officials were aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi on a national assignment when the aircraft plunged into a forest and burst into flames, killing all occupants.

The victims of the tragic crash are:

• Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
• Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment
• Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
• Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
• Mr Samuel Aboagye, Former Parliamentary Candidate
• Squadron Leader Peter Bafimi Anala
• Flying Officer Twum Ampadu
• Sergeant Ernest Addo

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, announced the tragic news at a press conference and directed that all national flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the victims.