In a move aimed at strengthening his administration, President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Klottey Korle MP Dr. Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings and Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga to head the Environment, Science and Technology Ministry and the Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Ministry, respectively.

The shake-up by President JMahama was made in accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution to find replacements for Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Dr Murtala Mohammed, who lost their dear lives in a military helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.

Also nominated for appointment is Ahmed Ibrahim, the Member of Parliament for Banda, he has been moved to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources from the Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Ministry.

This information was contained in a statement issued Friday afternoon (August 7) by the Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu who also doubles as Minister of State in charge of Government Communications.

Dr Edward Omane Boamah served as Ghana's Minister of Defence, and Dr Murtala Mohammed served as the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

Both were key figures in the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

In July, President Mahama hinted at carrying out a reshuffling exercise in the coming days as part of efforts to boost performance.

President John Dramani Mahama gave the hint while speaking during the Reset Tour and citizens’ engagement in the Volta Region on Friday, July 17.According to him, the upcoming exercise will aide reduce the size of government, curb public expenditure and give others the opportunity to serve.

He noted that, “There’ll be reshuffles and reshuffles and reshuffles, so just stand in readiness. Who knows, your turn will come and you’ll be invited to serve”.“We’ve kept it lean and mean and that is how we’re able to cut down some of the waste”.

In June, President John Dramani Mahama revealed plans to reshuffle ministers and chief executive officers of state institutions after assessing their performance.

He indicated that the exercise will determine their retention, reassignment, or removal from office. This was contained in a statement issued by the Presidency on Monday, June 8, Secretary to the President, Callistus Mahama.

Part of the statement read, “The increasing trend of Ministers of State, Chief Executive Officers of State Institutions, and other public officials participating in and accepting awards from various private organisations… has the potential to undermine the integrity of public service, create misconceptions regarding government performance assessment, and expose the Government to unnecessary public criticism and embarrassment.

“The findings of this review shall constitute a key basis for decisions relating to retention in office, reassignment of responsibilities, and any future Cabinet or executive restructuring”.

Earlier this year, a government-led performance assessment found that more than half of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) fell short of expectations.This was made known by the Local Government Minister, Ahmed Ibrahim, at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, April 20.

Mr Ibrahim explained that out of the 261 assemblies assessed, only 118 met the benchmark, while 143 failed.

“Because of that, all the donor partners who were supporting Ghana’s decentralisation said if you can’t help yourself, we will not help you. I am happy to announce to you that in 2025, we were able to reset the decentralisation concept of the district assemblies in 2024, and in the assessment, out of the 261 Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies, 143 of them failed and 118 of them passed. The passed mark was 36/100,” he added.

Last year, President Mahama warned that MMDCEs who do not live up to expectations shall be sacked following the assessment exams.

“The Minister of Finance is about to release the first quarter of the District Assemblies Common Fund. As I said, 80% of the money is going directly to the regions for you to decide how to use it. So, MMDCEs, you have no excuse.

“We will send you the guidelines, approved at the last Cabinet meeting, to show how the funds should be disbursed. This will serve as your Key Performance Indicators. Every year, we will assess your performance, and based on that, we will decide whether you stay or go,” he said.

Meanwhile, the government has pledged a minimum of GHC25 million each to all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies across the country this year.

The Fund is to support district assemblies in executing their duties in the regions.

The president made this known at an orientation and training programme held in Accra on Wednesday, June 18.

“This year, every assembly—from the largest to the smallest—will receive not less than GHC25 million. The NDC manifesto outlines a bold and people-centred agenda that puts local government at the heart of national development. You are the first line of the economy,” he stated.

The government earlier announced the distribution of 80% of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) to MMDCEs.

The remaining 20% of the fund, he noted, will be designated for projects managed by agencies such as the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), ensuring continued support for critical national initiatives.

In a separate development, President John Dramani Mahama has shared that his government, in the coming years, will allow citizens to elect the next Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

He explained that this is to allow citizens to have a direct say in choosing their local leaders. Addressing the MMDCEs during an orientation and training programme on Wednesday, July 18, in Accra, he noted that the upcoming system will be dependent on the recommendations by the National Review Committee established by the government.

“MMDCEs, you may be the last batch of MMDCEs appointed. The National Review committee is going round and will present its recommendation in August this year, and one of the major items that has come up is the election of the MMDCEs. There is no doubt that Ghanaians want the MMDCEs elected. Those who succeed you might have to go through elections,” he stated.

President Mahama further called on all MMDCEs to declare their assets by July 15.

"I wish to remind you that you are among the office holders required to declare your assets, and so I expect that by July 15, all of you will have declared your assets," he said.

The legal framework guiding asset declaration is the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Assets and Disqualification) Act, 1998 (Act 550).

The Act mandates public officials to declare their assets before assuming office, every four years, and at the end of their term, submitting the forms no later than six months after any of these events.

Importantly, Section 8 of the Act provides that allegations of non-compliance must be referred to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), which is empowered to investigate and take appropriate action.