One year after helicopter crash: Mahama names new Defence Minister

President John Dramani Mahama reassigned Kenneth Gilbert Adjei from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources to the Ministry of Defence, exactly a year after the tragic incident of the Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter crash. This move is part of a broader ministerial reshuffle, with nominations submitted to Parliament through the Speaker for prior approval in accordance with Article 78(1) of the 1992 Constitution.

Mr. Adjei will take charge of the Defence Ministry, a portfolio that has been without a substantive minister since the death of Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah. Dr. Omane Boamah was among eight people who died in the helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, while the delegation was travelling to the launch of the government's Cooperative Mining Initiative. President Mahama's reshuffle also includes the nomination of Dr. Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings as Minister for Environment, Science and Technology and Mahama Ayariga as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, subject to parliamentary approval.