Deputy Defence Minister Ernest Brogya Genfi has congratulated Kenneth Gilbert Adjei on his appointment as substantive Defence Minister, pledging his support and expressing confidence in his leadership of the country’s defence establishment.
President John Dramani Mahama appointed Adjei to the position following the death of former Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, who was killed in a military helicopter crash exactly one year ago alongside seven others.
Genfi, in a message posted on Facebook, described his relationship with Adjei as one built on trust and brotherhood and said the new minister’s experience would strengthen Ghana’s defence architecture.
“Your tactical acumen and firm leadership will continue to strengthen our defence architecture,” Genfi wrote.
Adjei’s appointment marks his return to the Defence Ministry, where he previously served as Deputy Defence Minister under Mahama from 2015 to 2017.
He was most recently Minister for **Works, Housing and Water Resources**, a position he held before being moved back to the defence portfolio.
Following Omane Boamah’s death in the 6 August 2025, helicopter crash, Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson was assigned additional responsibility for the Defence Ministry in an acting capacity.
Adjei’s return therefore brings previous experience in the defence sector as well as ministerial experience in infrastructure and housing to the portfolio.
Who is Kenneth Gilbert Adjei?
Adjei was born on 20 September 1978 and comes from Trede in the Ashanti Region.
He attended Opoku Ware School before obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
He later earned an Executive Master of Business Administration from the University of Ghana Business School** and a Master of Arts in Peace, Security and Intelligence Management from the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) in 2022.
Before entering government, Adjei worked in the private sector, including in marketing, financial and insurance services. He also served as programme director of the Lordina Foundation and held board-level positions, including at the National Lottery Authority.
His political career is closely associated with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
His first ministerial appointment came in 2015, when he became Deputy Defence Minister under Mahama. He served in that role until the NDC left office in January 2017.
Mahama appointed him Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources in 2025, placing him in charge of a portfolio covering public works, housing, water infrastructure and related development programmes.
His return to the Defence Ministry comes as Ghana continues to mourn the eight people killed in the helicopter crash and as the government faces the task of strengthening the country’s defence and security institutions.