Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has formally handed over stewardship of the Ministry of Defence to Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, ending an acting tenure he took on after the ministry lost its substantive head.
Dr Ato Forson announced the handover publicly, saying he leaves the ministry with deep gratitude, a profound sense of honour and the satisfaction of duty fulfilled. The transfer follows President John Dramani Mahama’s reshuffle of 7 August 2026, which moved Adjei from Works, Housing and Water Resources to Defence.
The change restores a substantive minister to a portfolio that ran under acting arrangements for a year after the substantive Defence Minister died in the military helicopter crash of 6 August 2025.
The Ajumako Enyan-Essiam Member of Parliament Dr Ato Forson, held Defence alongside the Finance portfolio, an arrangement that placed two of the most demanding ministries in government under one office holder.
“I have just formally handed over the stewardship of the Ministry of Defence to Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei. I leave this Ministry with deep gratitude, a profound sense of honour and the satisfaction of duty fulfilled.”
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
His tenure closed days after he signed a Technical Arrangement with Burkina Faso’s Minister of State and Minister of War and Patriotic Defence, Major General Célestin Simporé, covering escort and security support for convoys. That agreement now passes to his successor to implement.
Adjei leaves Works and Housing
Adjei had earlier published his own message on taking up the new role, opening with thanks to the President. “I am profoundly grateful to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama for the confidence reposed in me and the opportunity to serve the people of Ghana as Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources,” he wrote.
He described his time at that ministry in terms of what it taught him. “My time at the Ministry has been one of service, learning, collaboration and, above all, a commitment to delivering on the mandate entrusted to us,” he wrote.
He then turned to the staff he leaves behind. “I extend my deepest appreciation to the dedicated staff of the Ministry of Works and Housing for their hard work, professionalism and unwavering support. The progress and successes we achieved together would not have been possible without your commitment and sacrifice,” he wrote.
Taking on Defence
Adjei framed the move as a step up in responsibility rather than a lateral transfer. “As I take on my new responsibility at the Ministry of Defense, I do so with humility, renewed energy and a deep sense of duty. I am optimistic about the road ahead and look forward to contributing meaningfully to our collective efforts to build a stronger and more secure Ghana,” he wrote.
![The two ministers with the service chiefs after the handover. From left: [confirm: Air Force officer], the Chief of the Defence Staff Lieutenant General William Agyapong, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, [confirm: Chief of the Naval Staff] and [confirm: Chief of the Army Staff]. Photo: Ministry of Defence](https://thevaultznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Ato-Forson-handsover-to-Gilbert-Adjei-2-1024x683.jpeg "Ato Forson Hands Over Defence Ministry to Kenneth Gilbert Adjei 3")
He also addressed the public directly. “To the people of Ghana, thank you for your continued support, goodwill and prayers. Your encouragement remains a source of strength as we continue to serve our nation,” he wrote.
His closing lines set the tone he intends to bring. “The work continues. Let us keep our sleeves rolled up, remain focused and work even harder to deliver for Ghana. I call on all hands to be on deck as we embrace this new chapter of service together. For Ghana. For Service. For Progress.“
What the new minister inherits
Adjei takes charge of a ministry facing pressure from beyond Ghana’s northern border. Armed groups operating in the Sahel have used northern Ghana to rest and evade pursuit, and the country has responded through partnership, signing a security pact with the European Union in March 2026 and the defence arrangement with Burkina Faso this month.
The ministry also carries unfinished business from the crash that killed his predecessor, with recovery, investigation and the welfare of bereaved families running alongside routine operations for the past year.
The same reshuffle moved Ahmed Ibrahim from Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to Works, Housing and Water Resources, filling the seat Adjei vacates. Reassignments of serving ministers take effect without fresh parliamentary approval.
However, two nominations from the same announcement still require a vote in the House. President Mahama named Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings as Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology and Mahama Ayariga as Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
Neither appointment takes effect until the Appointments Committee vets them and Parliament votes. Speaker Alban Bagbin has recalled the House to sit from 24 to 28 August to consider urgent parliamentary business, which gives the Appointments Committee its first working window since the nominations were submitted.
READ ALSO: COCOBOD Equips Regional Managers to Counter Misinformation on New Bill
