Accra, Ghana — August 10, 2026
Ghana has appointed Kenneth Gilbert Adjei as its new Minister of Defence, ending a year-long vacancy in the substantive position following the death of former Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah in a military helicopter crash.
President John Dramani Mahama announced the appointment on Friday, August 7, as part of a government reshuffle. Adjei, who previously served as Minister for Works and Housing, has now been reassigned to lead the Defence Ministry. (Reuters)
The appointment comes exactly a year after the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Omane Boamah, former Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed and six others while they were travelling to an official assignment in the Ashanti Region.
The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed at the time that the Z-9 military helicopter lost contact with air traffic control after departing Accra for Obuasi. All eight people aboard died in the crash. Investigations were subsequently launched into the cause of the accident. (Ghana National Association)
For much of the past year, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson had served as acting Defence Minister, providing continuity while the government searched for a permanent replacement. (Channel1 News)
Adjei takes charge of the ministry at a time when security remains a major concern across West Africa. Ghana has generally remained politically stable, but the growing threat of extremist activity, cross-border crime and instability in the Sahel has increased pressure on governments in the region to strengthen national security.
His appointment also comes as Ghana continues efforts to modernise its military capabilities. Earlier this year, the Ghana Air Force received a new Airbus H175 helicopter, part of a wider programme to strengthen the country’s aviation and operational capabilities. (Ghana Armed Forces)
The new Defence Minister will therefore face the task of providing political leadership to Ghana’s armed forces while overseeing defence policy, military modernisation and national security priorities.
Adjei’s appointment marks the end of an unusually long period without a substantive Defence Minister and begins a new chapter for Ghana’s defence establishment following one of the country’s most painful military tragedies in recent years.
