The Ministry of Defence has formally welcomed Kenneth Gilbert Adjei as Ghana’s new Defence Minister, a year after the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of former Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and seven others.
Mr Adjei officially assumed duty on his first day in office, marking the beginning of his tenure at a ministry still dealing with the loss of senior officials and military personnel in the August 6 helicopter disaster.
A Guard of Honour was mounted at the Ministry to formally receive the new minister as he arrived to begin his responsibilities.
Mr Adjei was later welcomed by management and staff, including the Chief Director, Emmanuel Kartey, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, and the various Service Chiefs.
The ceremony also gave the new minister an opportunity to meet and interact with officials and staff as he settled into his new role.
His assumption of office comes at a particularly difficult time for the Defence Ministry and the wider security establishment following the unfortunate death of Dr Edward Omane Boamah and seven others in the helicopter crash.
Dr Omane Boamah, a former Defence Minister and a key figure in Ghana’s security administration, was among those who died when the Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crashed during a flight to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.
The tragedy shocked the country and left the Ministry without its substantive political head at a time when the armed forces and national security agencies were mourning the loss of several senior personnel.
The new minister is therefore taking charge against the backdrop of a painful national tragedy, with expectations that he will provide leadership and work closely with the military leadership and staff of the Ministry.
The Ministry said the warm reception for Mr Adjei reflected its commitment to working with him as he begins his tenure and takes on the responsibility of overseeing the country’s defence affairs.
