Ghana mourns as Helicopter crash claims lives of two Ministers, six others

Ghana has been thrown into national mourning following the tragic crash of a military helicopter that claimed the lives of eight individuals, including two prominent cabinet ministers.

The devastating incident occurred near Adansi-Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, during what was meant to be a routine official assignment.

Among the deceased were the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.

Both were key figures in President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration and were en route to the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme when tragedy struck.

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The ill-fated aircraft, identified as a Z-9 military helicopter belonging to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), reportedly went off the radar shortly after taking off from the capital, Accra. Authorities confirmed that the helicopter crashed in a forested area, where emergency teams later discovered the charred wreckage and remains of the victims.

Other officials who died in the crash include: Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former Minister for Food and Agriculture and Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Mr. Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate and three GAF crew members, whose identities are yet to be officially disclosed

The crash site was reportedly engulfed in flames when first responders arrived, complicating immediate rescue and recovery efforts. Dramatic images from the scene showed the burned-out remnants of the helicopter amid the smoldering debris.

In a brief and sombre press conference held later in the day, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah confirmed the incident and conveyed the President’s condolences to the families of the deceased.

“The President and government extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of our fallen comrades and the brave servicemen who died in the line of duty,” Debrah stated, announcing that national flags will fly at half-mast for the rest of the week in honour of the victims.

The government has launched a full-scale investigation into the cause of the crash. Aviation and military experts are expected to comb through the flight data and communication logs to determine what led to the fatal accident.

Meanwhile, tributes have continued to pour in from across Ghana and the international community, praising the deceased officials for their dedicated service to the country.