Ghana has been thrown into deep sorrow after a military helicopter crashed and killed eight top government and military officials.
Among the dead were the Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and Environment Minister, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Z-9 helicopter went down Wednesday morning in Adansi Akrofuom, Ashanti Region. It was en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme.
The aircraft departed Accra at 09:12 am. Just minutes later, it lost contact with radar.
Rescue teams later found the burnt wreckage in a forest. All on board had died.
A Nation Shaken
The passengers included five government and party officials, and three military crew members. The Ghanaian presidency has called it a “national tragedy.”
“On behalf of President John Mahama and the government, we send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” Chief of Staff Julius Debrah announced during a press briefing at Jubilee House.
He also ordered all flags in the country to fly at half-mast until further notice.
Boamah had just been appointed Defence Minister in February 2025. A trained medical doctor, he previously served as Minister of Communications and Deputy Minister for Environment under Mahama’s first term.
Murtala Mohammed, former MP for Tamale Central, was a strong voice on environmental reform.
Also on board were:
- Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture
- Dr. Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice Chairman and former Ashanti Regional Minister
- Samuel Aboagye, former NDC parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
Eyewitnesses told local media the helicopter “burst into flames upon impact”. One clip aired by Joy News showed wreckage smoking in the middle of thick bush.
Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, was already in Obuasi waiting to receive the delegation when he was alerted. He rushed to the scene immediately.
A Bitter Reminder of Earlier Disaster
The cause of the crash is still unknown. Authorities say an investigation is ongoing.
The Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, said President John Mahama was “down emotionally” after receiving the news.
Unconfirmed sources said “President was originally scheduled to be on the helicopter, but was cancelled due to a clash with his church engagement. Should we persist in complaining about the President’s refusal to use the questionable Presidential jet itself?“, the source queried.
President Mahama has sent delegates to comfort the grieving families. The government says it will provide full support during this mourning period.
This tragedy comes barely five months after a GAF helicopter crash in March 2024 near Bonsukrom, Western Region. That earlier incident had no fatalities.
Nigeria joins in grief
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu joined in mourning. In a statement from his adviser, Bayo Onanuga, he said, “The thoughts and prayers of the government and people of Nigeria are with our Ghanaian brothers and sisters during this time of profound national loss.”
He urged families of the fallen heroes to “find solace in the sacrifice made by the deceased, who died in the line of patriotic service to the country.”
President Tinubu ended with a prayer for “the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and strength for those left behind.”
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