Natalie Nyathi
Ghana is in mourning following a tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight people, including two prominent government ministers. Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among those killed when a military helicopter went down in the Ashanti region.
The helicopter, a Z-9 military aircraft, departed from Accra at 9:12 AM local time, heading towards Obuasi for an event focused on combating illegal mining. However, the aircraft soon lost contact with air traffic control and crashed in a forest area near Adansi.
In addition to the two ministers, the crash also took the lives of several other key figures. Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, the Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister, and Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party, were among the deceased. The crew included Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
In response to this tragedy, the government has declared a national mourning period and announced three days of grief. President John Dramani Mahama has suspended all scheduled activities for the week, and flags across the country are flying at half-mast. Chief of Staff Julius Debrah expressed the president’s condolences to the families of the lost officials and the military personnel who died in service to the nation.
Edward Omane Boamah served as Minister of Defence from February 2025 until his untimely death. He had previously held positions as Minister of Communications and Spokesperson to the President, where he played a significant role in cybersecurity initiatives and the rollout of Ghana’s 4G LTE network. A medical doctor by training, he was about to release a book titled “A Peaceful Man In An African Democracy.”
Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed served as the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation. He was a Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and had previously served as Deputy Minister for Information and Media Relations, as well as Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry. Known for his strong stance against illegal gold mining, he was a key figure in addressing environmental concerns in Ghana.
The cause of the helicopter crash is currently unknown, and the Ghanaian military has launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The loss of these government officials and military personnel is a significant blow to Ghana, and the nation mourns their untimely passing.