President John Dramani Mahama has nominated former Deputy Defence Minister, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, as Ghana’s new Minister for Defence in a ministerial reshuffle announced on Friday, August 7, 2026.
The nomination, made in accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution, forms part of a broader reorganisation of government aimed at strengthening key ministries. The announcement, signed by the Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, indicated that Mr. Adjei has been reassigned from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources to the Defence Ministry.
Kenneth Gilbert Adjei brings considerable experience to the role, having previously served as Deputy Minister for Defence under President Mahama’s first administration from May 2015 until January 7, 2017. During his tenure, he was actively involved in defence policy, military administration, regional security cooperation and initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and accommodation of personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Prior to his latest nomination, Mr. Adjei had been serving as Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources since January 2025, where he led government efforts to address Ghana’s housing deficit, expand access to safe water, improve sanitation infrastructure and accelerate flood control interventions across the country.
Born on September 20, 1978, and a native of Trede in the Ashanti Region, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei is an accomplished marketing and public administration professional. 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 MBA from the University of Ghana Business School and, in 2022, completed a Master of Arts degree in Peace, Security and Intelligence Management at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
Before entering frontline government service, he served as Programme Director of the Lordina Foundation and held leadership positions in the marketing, financial services and insurance sectors. He also served on the Board of the National Lottery Authority and remains a leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
President Mahama’s latest reshuffle also includes the nomination of Klottey Korle Member of Parliament, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, while Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has been nominated to head the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. Ahmed Ibrahim has been reassigned to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources.
If approved by Parliament, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei will return to a ministry where he previously served, bringing nearly a decade of defence and national security experience to oversee Ghana’s military and defence policy at a time of evolving regional security challenges.
By: Christian Kpesese
