Ghanaian President, John Mahama has appointed Kenneth Gilbert Adjei as the country’s new Minister of Defence, almost a year after the death of his predecessor in a military helicopter crash.

Adjei, 47, previously served as Minister for Housing and brings prior experience in the defence sector, having held the position of Deputy Defence Minister between 2015 and 2017 during Mahama’s earlier administration.

His appointment comes at a time when Ghana is confronting growing regional security concerns, including the spillover effects of instability in the Sahel, cross-border criminal activities and maritime security threats in the Gulf of Guinea.

The new defence minister succeeds Edward Omane Boamah, who died in a military helicopter crash in August 2025.

The appointment forms part of a broader cabinet reshuffle announced by President Mahama, which also included nominations for the ministries responsible for environment, science and technology, as well as local government.