Tragedy strikes Ghana as Military Helicopter crash kills key Ministers, 7 others

A tragic helicopter crash in Ghana’s Ashanti Region has claimed the lives of the country’s Defence Minister and seven others, plunging the nation into deep mourning.

The incident occurred Wednesday morning in the Adansi Akrofuom District, involving a Z-9 military helicopter that lost radar contact shortly after departing Accra at 9:12 am.

The aircraft was heading to Obuasi for a national event on responsible cooperative mining and skills development when it went down in a forested area.

Eyewitnesses said the helicopter exploded on impact, leaving no survivors among the eight people on board.

According to the Ghana Armed Forces, the victims included Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. Dr. Boamah, a key member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), was respected for his role in national security.

Dr. Mohammed, who represented Tamale Central in Parliament, was a vocal advocate for environmental and technological development.

Others killed in the crash were Alhaji Mohammad Muniru Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC; and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East.

The three-man crew, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, also died in the accident.

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, during a press briefing at the Jubilee House, confirmed the fatalities and conveyed the government’s condolences to the bereaved families.

He assured that the administration will give full support to the relatives of those lost.

Preliminary reports suggest the crash may have been caused by technical failure, though investigations are still ongoing.

Rescue teams, including the Ghana National Fire Service and local volunteers, responded swiftly, but all lives on board were lost.

The crash site revealed charred wreckage, painting a grim picture of the disaster’s scale.

This comes just months after another military helicopter crash in March 2024, which fortunately did not result in any fatalities.

President John Dramani Mahama has directed that all national flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the victims.

As tributes pour in from across the nation, many are demanding a thorough review of the military’s aviation safety protocols.

The government has pledged to uncover the root cause of the incident and ensure that such a tragedy does not occur again.