Former Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has formally handed over the administration of the Ministry to his successor, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, MP, following a ministerial reshuffle by President John Dramani Mahama.

The brief but significant handing-over ceremony took place at the Ministry in Accra on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, with the two ministers signing the relevant official documents to complete the transfer of responsibility.

The transition marks a change in political leadership while underscoring the need for continuity in addressing Ghana's challenges in housing, public works, drainage and water-resource management.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Adjei expressed gratitude to management, heads of agencies and departments, as well as staff of the Ministry, for their support and cooperation throughout his tenure.

He described his period at the Ministry as one of service, collaboration and commitment to advancing the government's development agenda, particularly in areas including affordable housing, improved water supply, flood-control infrastructure and the revival of stalled projects.

"As I hand over the baton, I wish Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim every success and pray that he continues to build on the work already underway for the benefit of the people of Ghana," Mr Adjei said.

He further stressed that service to the country remained a privilege, expressing confidence that the incoming Minister would build on existing programmes while introducing fresh initiatives to address challenges confronting the sector.

Mr Adjei served as Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources from February 2025 until his reassignment in August 2026. During his tenure, the Ministry focused on issues including Ghana's housing deficit, expansion of access to potable water, drainage and flood-management interventions, and efforts to revive stalled housing and infrastructure projects, including the Saglemi Housing Project.

Background 

The handover follows President John Dramani Mahama's first major ministerial reshuffle of his second administration, announced on August 7, 2026.

Under the changes, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei was reassigned from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources to become Minister for Defence, while Ahmed Ibrahim was moved from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to take charge of Works, Housing and Water Resources.

The reshuffle also addressed key vacancies that had persisted following the August 6, 2025 military helicopter crash in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region. The tragedy claimed eight lives, including then Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah and then Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.

The officials were travelling on a national assignment connected to the Responsible Co-operative Mining and Skills Development Programme when the aircraft crashed.

Following Dr Omane Boamah's death, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson was assigned to oversee the Defence Ministry in an acting capacity.

He performed that role for about a year until President Mahama reassigned Mr Adjei to the Defence portfolio. Dr Forson formally handed over the Ministry of Defence to Mr Adjei on August 14, 2026.

Mr Adjei's move to Defence also marks a return to a sector in which he has previous government experience, having served as a Deputy Minister for Defence during an earlier John Mahama administration.

Ahmed Ibrahim, meanwhile, takes over the Works, Housing and Water Resources Ministry at a time when the country continues to contend with a substantial housing deficit, recurring urban flooding, pressure on water-supply systems and a number of incomplete public housing and infrastructure projects.

At the handover, the new Minister pledged to maintain continuity and work towards completing ongoing projects. He also called for a less partisan approach to Ghana's housing challenges, arguing that successive administrations must be prepared to continue viable projects initiated by their predecessors instead of allowing them to stall following changes in government.

The transition therefore places Ahmed Ibrahim at the centre of government's efforts to improve housing delivery, strengthen drainage and flood-control systems, expand access to safe water and ensure the completion of critical public infrastructure projects across the country.

Report By: Robicon Mornahson