Kenneth Gilbert Agyei assumes office as Defence Minister

The Acting Minister for Defence, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, has formally handed over the administration of the Ministry of Defence to the newly appointed Defence Minister, Mr Kenneth Gilbert Agyei, thereby ending his tenure as Acting Minister of the Ministry.

The formal transition took place at the Defence Minister’s Office, where the two Ministers signed the relevant documents to complete the handing-over process.

In his remarks, Dr Forson expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, for entrusting him with the responsibility of acting as Defence Minister following the tragic helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.

Dr Forson said the country’s defence posture must evolve to respond effectively to emerging security threats, stressing that the future of national defence could no longer rely heavily on manpower alone.

He advocated a defence system that was technology-led, intelligence-driven and agile to enable the Ghana Armed Forces to respond effectively to changing security threats.

He welcomed Mr Agyei to the Ministry and expressed confidence that his previous experience as Deputy Minister of Defence would provide a strong foundation for his new role.

The new Defence Minister, Mr Kenneth Gilbert Agyei, described his return to the Ministry as a great honour and privilege, having previously served as Deputy Minister of Defence from 2015 to 2017.

He said his earlier experience at the Ministry had given him a deep appreciation of the professionalism, discipline, sacrifice and dedication of the Ghana Armed Forces.

Mr Agyei expressed gratitude to President Mahama for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to work closely with the Deputy Minister, Chief of the Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Chief Director, Directors and staff of the Ministry to advance the country’s defence and security interests.

He stressed that national defence was a collective responsibility and said no Minister, regardless of experience or capability, could effectively discharge the responsibilities of the Ministry without the cooperation and support of the wider defence establishment.

Mr Agyei observed that Ghana’s security environment had changed considerably in recent years, describing the contemporary security landscape as more complex, interconnected and unpredictable than it was a decade ago.

He identified violent extremism and terrorism, transnational organised crime, illicit trafficking, maritime insecurity, cyber threats, disinformation and misinformation, illegal mining and the potential spill-over effects of instability from the Sahel as some of the emerging threats confronting Ghana and the wider region.

He also pointed to rapid advances in technology, including artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, cyber capabilities and autonomous platforms, which he said were transforming the character of conflict and the way countries must prepare for national defence.

He said the Ministry and the Ghana Armed Forces must therefore remain responsive to these developments and strengthen their preparedness to safeguard Ghana’s territorial integrity and national interests.