Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings has officially assumed office as Ghana’s Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, pledging to balance the country’s development ambitions with the need to protect the environment.
She took over the ministry on Thursday, September 3, 2026, following a handover ceremony in Accra, becoming the substantive minister after Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah served as caretaker of the portfolio.
Mr Buah assumed responsibility for the ministry following the death of its substantive minister, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, in the August 2025 helicopter crash.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said science, technology and innovation must be deployed to support Ghana’s development without undermining the environment.
“Science, technology and innovation are meant to work hand in hand as we look towards our development. It must not be at the expense of our environment.”
She said environmental protection was a responsibility shared by both the government and citizens, as provided for under Ghana’s Constitution.
According to her, the ministry has an important role in raising public awareness and encouraging collective action to address environmental challenges.
She identified climate change and environmental degradation resulting from human activity as issues requiring urgent attention, noting that the challenges extend beyond Ghana and have become a global concern.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings assured the Chief Director, directors and other staff of the ministry that she would work with them to deliver its mandate.
She said although she was the head of the institution, achieving the ministry’s objectives would depend on cooperation and collaboration among its personnel.
“We are working as a team. Yes indeed, I am the head of the institution, but our success will depend on how we work together, cooperate, collaborate.”
The new minister also assured staff that she would not favour particular individuals, saying her priority would be to ensure that the ministry worked collectively towards its objectives.
She outlined discipline, transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources as minimum standards expected of personnel.
“My job here is to make sure that we work together, that we achieve our objectives. What I would have an expectation of is a minimum standard of discipline, of transparency and accountability.”
She stressed that resources managed by the ministry ultimately came from taxpayers and must therefore be handled responsibly.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings’ assumption of office follows President John Dramani Mahama’s August 2026 ministerial reshuffle, in which she was nominated to take over the Environment, Science and Technology portfolio. Parliament approved her nomination on August 27, and President Mahama swore her into office on August 29.
Her ministry oversees key areas including environmental protection, scientific research, technological development and innovation, placing her at the centre of government efforts to address environmental challenges while using science and technology to support national development.