Kenneth Gilbert Adjei assumes office as Defence Minister

Kenneth Gilbert Adjei officially assumed the role of Ghana's Defence Minister on August 14, 2026, following the passing of Dr Edward Omane Boamah. The formal handover ceremony took place at the Ministry of Defence in Accra, where Adjei signed the necessary documents to officially take on the responsibilities of the ministry and the country's defense affairs. Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister for Finance, had been acting as the Defence Minister since the death of Dr Boamah in a military helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.

Adjei's background in the defense sector is notable, as he previously served as Deputy Minister for Defence from 2015 to 2017 during President John Dramani Mahama's first term. Prior to that, he held the position of Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources. President Mahama subsequently transferred Adjei to the Defence Ministry as part of a cabinet reshuffle.

In his inaugural remarks, Adjei emphasized his priorities as Defence Minister. These include bolstering Ghana's defense readiness in light of the increasing instability in the Sahel region, enhancing surveillance and intelligence gathering along the nation's borders, and improving the welfare and operational capacity of the Ghana Armed Forces.

He also highlighted the importance of raising the living and working conditions for military personnel while ensuring that the Armed Forces are fully equipped to perform their duties. The ceremony concluded with a guard of honor presented by the Ghana Armed Forces to formally welcome the new Defence Minister.