Ghana Mourns as Two Ministers Among Eight Killed in Helicopter Crash

News Desk 

Accra: Ghana is observing three days of national mourning following the tragic deaths of two government ministers and six others in a military helicopter crash in the Ashanti region.

Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, 50, were among the eight victims on board the Ghana Air Force Z9 helicopter, which crashed on Wednesday while en route from Accra to Obuasi for an event targeting illegal mining operations.

The helicopter, carrying three crew members and five passengers, went down in dense forest under reportedly poor weather conditions. Local eyewitnesses described low visibility and said the aircraft was flying unusually low before it crashed and exploded. There were no survivors.

“That’s when I realised the helicopter had exploded,” a nearby farmer told the BBC. “I hurried to the scene but there was no one to be rescued.”

The wreckage was located in a remote forested area. All eight bodies were retrieved and transported to Accra, draped in the national flag, where a solemn ceremony was held at the Air Force Base.

The Ghanaian government has yet to announce full funeral arrangements, and plans to bury the Muslim victims on Thursday have been postponed pending complete identification of the bodies.

Investigation Underway

Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the crash, but the Ghana Armed Forces have launched an investigation. The national meteorological agency had issued warnings about unusually cold and foggy conditions, especially in forested regions due to recent rainfall.

This is the deadliest air incident involving the Ghana Air Force in recent years. In 2020 and 2024, two other helicopters made emergency landings in the Northern and Western regions, respectively, but without fatalities.

National Response and Mourning

President John Dramani Mahama has declared three days of national mourning starting Thursday, suspended all official engagements, and ordered flags to fly at half-mast nationwide.

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah described the incident as a “national tragedy,” extending condolences on behalf of the president to the bereaved families and the Ghana Armed Forces.

“President Mahama is emotionally shattered,” said Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu.

Other Victims Identified

In addition to Boamah and Muhammed, the crash claimed the lives of:

Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister

Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC)

Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, pilot

Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu

Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah

Profiles of the Fallen Ministers

Edward Omane Boamah, a seasoned politician and former communications minister, was widely respected for his leadership in national security.

As defence minister, he played a key role in addressing the jihadist threat near Ghana’s northern border with Burkina Faso, where extremist groups have reportedly recruited hundreds of young Ghanaians.

His upcoming book, A Peaceful Man in an African Democracy, a tribute to former President John Atta Mills, was due for release later this year.

Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, known for his activism against illegal gold mining or “Galamsey,” was a vocal environmental advocate.

He led national efforts to curb unregulated mining that has polluted Ghana’s rivers and devastated ecosystems. His work gained attention during President Mahama’s recent election campaign, as anti-Galamsey protests peaked nationwide.

Nation in Grief

The crash has stunned the nation, with images of the charred wreckage circulating widely on social media. Ghanaians across the political divide are mourning the loss of two prominent public servants and six other patriots who died in the line of duty.

The government has promised a full investigation and pledged support to the families of the deceased. 

Inpur from BBC.