Mahama Nominates Kenneth Gilbert Adjei as Defence Minister to Replace Late Omane Boamah in Cabinet Reshuffle

Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei

President John Dramani Mahama has nominated Kenneth Gilbert Adjei as Ghana’s new Minister for Defence, reassigning him from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources as part of his first cabinet reshuffle.

The nomination comes exactly one year after the tragic death of former Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, who was among the eight victims killed in the military helicopter crash at Adansi in the Ashanti Region on August 6, 2025.

In accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution, President Mahama has formally submitted the ministerial nominations to Parliament through the Speaker for prior approval.

If approved by Parliament, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei will take over the Defence Ministry, succeeding Dr Omane Boamah, whose death created a vacancy in one of the country’s most strategic ministries.

The reshuffle also includes a number of key ministerial reassignments aimed at strengthening the government’s administrative structure.

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has been nominated to head the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, while Korle Klottey MP Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings has been nominated as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.

In addition, Ahmed Ibrahim has been reassigned to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, replacing Kenneth Gilbert Adjei.

All the nominees are expected to appear before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for vetting. Their appointments will take effect only after they receive parliamentary approval.

The reshuffle is intended to fill vacancies created by the 2025 helicopter tragedy and reposition key ministries to advance the government’s policy agenda.