Accra: Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, has congratulated Kenneth Gilbert Adjei on his appointment as Ghana's substantive Minister for Defence by President John Dramani Mahama, pledging his unwavering support.
According to Ghana Web, Genfi shared his message of congratulations on Facebook following the announcement, highlighting the foundation of trust and brotherhood in his relationship with Adjei. He expressed confidence in Adjei's capacity to provide strategic leadership to Ghana's defence establishment. In his message, Genfi stated, "Congratulations to Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei on your appointment as Minister responsible for Defence at Ministry of Defence Ghana. Our bond of service has been one of trust and brotherhood. I have no doubt that your tactical acumen and firm leadership will continue to strengthen our defence architecture. Congratulations once again Boss!"
The appointment of Kenneth Gilbert Adjei comes a year after the tragic death of former Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, who perished alongside seven others in a Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash on August 6, 2025. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson was tasked with overseeing the Defence portfolio on an interim basis, during which Deputy Minister Genfi played a significant role in the ministry's operations.
Kenneth Gilbert Adjei is no stranger to the defence sector, having previously served as Deputy Minister of Defence under President Mahama from 2015 to 2017. Before his recent appointment, he was the Minister of Works and Housing, bringing with him a wealth of experience from different governmental portfolios. His return to the Defence Ministry is anticipated to benefit from his prior defence experience and diverse ministerial exposure.
Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, born on September 20, 1978, hails from Trede in the Ashanti Region. He completed his secondary education at Opoku Ware School and attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). Furthering his education, he obtained an Executive Master of Business Administration from the University of Ghana Business School and a Master of Arts degree in Peace, Security and Intelligence Management from the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) in 2022.
Before his ministerial career, Adjei gained experience in the private sector, working in marketing, finance, and insurance services. He also held roles such as programme director at the Lordina Foundation and board member at the National Lottery Authority. His political and public-service career has been closely linked with the National Democratic Congress, with his first major ministerial role under President Mahama beginning in 2015 as Deputy Minister of Defence. In 2025, he was appointed Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, where he managed public works, housing, water infrastructure, and national development programmes.