– ACCRA, Ghana
On Friday, President John Dramani Mahama appointed Kenneth Gilbert Adjei as Ghana's new Minister of Defense, filling a vacancy that had persisted for a year following the death of his predecessor. Adjei, who previously served as Minister of Works, Housing, and Water Resources, was reassigned to this new role via a statement from the Presidency. This move is part of a broader ministerial reshuffle submitted to Parliament for prior approval, in accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution.
The position of Minister of Defense had remained without an official holder since August 6, 2025, when Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah lost his life along with seven others in a crash involving a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 military helicopter in the Adansi Akrofuom district of the Ashanti Region. Since the tragedy, Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson had held the post in an acting capacity. Adjei, 47, brings relevant experience to the role, having served as Deputy Minister of Defense between 2015 and 2017 during Mahama's previous administration.
In other changes announced that same day, Ahmed Ibrahim, formerly Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, was moved to the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Water Resources. Additionally, President Mahama nominated Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister-designate for Environment, Science, and Technology, and Parliamentary Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs. All appointments require parliamentary review and approval before the nominees can assume office.
These appointments come as Ghana continues to manage national security priorities including military modernization and border security amidst regional challenges. The helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, among others, remains a highly significant national event, with the first anniversary having recently been commemorated. Authorities have emphasized the continuity of government operations while filling the vacancies resulting from the incident.
Adjei’s appointment marks his return to a ministry he knows well, placing him in a key position to oversee fundamental defense responsibilities. The Presidency’s announcement underscores the government's intention to strengthen leadership across critical ministerial portfolios. Further details regarding the parliamentary approval process and any additional cabinet adjustments are expected in the coming days as the nominees undergo the required constitutional procedures.