By John Ogunsemore
Ghana’s Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister, Ibrahim Murtalla Mohammed, were among eight people killed in a military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday morning, the presidency confirmed.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Z-9 helicopter, carrying three crew members and five passengers, reportedly took off from Accra at 09:12 local time, en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme.
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The aircraft lost contact with radar shortly after takeoff, and emergency response teams later located the wreckage, which had burst into flames upon impact.
Chief of Staff to the President, Julius Debrah announced the tragedy at a press conference at the Jubilee House, describing it as a “national tragedy.”
He extended condolences on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the government to the families of the victims and the servicemen who died in service.
Debrah directed that all national flags fly at half-mast until further notice.
Boamah was appointed in February, a month after Mahama’s inauguration.
A medical doctor by training, he previously served as communications minister during Mahama’s previous 2012-2017 tenure and was also deputy minister for environment.
Other victims included Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture; Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Ashanti Regional Minister; Samuel Aboagye, a former NDC parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East; and three GAF crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Eyewitnesses reported a horrific scene, with the helicopter burning beyond recognition in a heavily forested area.
Graphic footage aired by local media, including Joy News, showed the smouldering wreckage.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who was attending the planned event in Obuasi, rushed to the crash site upon receiving the news.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances. The Ghana Armed Forces had reported earlier that the helicopter lost radar contact shortly after departing Accra. This incident follows a previous military helicopter crash in March 2024 near Bonsukrom in the Western Region, which had no fatalities.
Dr. Omane Boamah, a medical doctor by training, had served as Defence Minister since President Mahama’s inauguration in January 2025. He previously held roles as Communications Minister and Deputy Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, and was known for his work on cybersecurity and child online protection initiatives. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, a former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, was a prominent figure in environmental policy.
The crash has shocked the nation, with Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu noting that President Mahama was “down emotionally” upon learning of the loss. A delegation has been sent to the families of the deceased, and the government has pledged support during this period of mourning.
Investigations are ongoing, with further updates expected as authorities work to uncover the cause of this devastating incident.
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