Ghana is in mourning following the deaths of two cabinet ministers and six others in a military helicopter crash in the Ashanti region.
Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among the victims of the crash, which occurred on a flight from Accra to Obuasi for an event aimed at tackling illegal mining.
Described by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah as a “national tragedy,” the crash claimed the lives of all eight onboard — five passengers and three crew. The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that the Z9 helicopter had gone off radar shortly after takeoff at 09:12 GMT.
The victims also included:
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Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister of Agriculture
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Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
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Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
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Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
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Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
Images of the wreckage have circulated widely on social media, showing the charred remains of the helicopter.
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President John Dramani Mahama has suspended all official engagements for the rest of the week and declared three days of national mourning starting Thursday. Flags across the country have been ordered to fly at half-mast.
The Ghanaian military has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, which remains unknown.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu said President Mahama was “emotionally devastated” by the tragedy.
Boamah, a key figure in Mahama’s government, had served in multiple portfolios including communications and environment. As defence minister, he played a key role in confronting growing jihadist threats from neighbouring Burkina Faso. He was also an author, with a book titled A Peaceful Man in an African Democracy set to be released later this year.
Muhammed was widely respected for his environmental activism, particularly his efforts to combat illegal gold mining, known locally as Galamsey, which has severely damaged Ghana’s rivers and ecosystems.
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