A tragic military helicopter crash has occurred in Ghana, which has claimed the lives of eight persons, including Ghana’s Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, government officials has confirmed.
The Ghana Armed Forces reported that the Z‑9 utility helicopter departed Accra at 09:12 AM local time, bound for Obuasi, where the ministers were to attend a mining and skills development event.
According to reports, the aircraft lost control and crashed after radar contact was lost shortly after takeoff. Eyewitnesses of the tragic incident described seeing the helicopter engulfed in flames as it struck a tree in the Adansi Akrofuom (also reported as Adansi Brofeyedu) District, with its wreckage burned beyond recognition.
According to official lists, the victims included;
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence
Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology and MP for Tamale Central
Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator (and former Agriculture Minister)
Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC)
Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate, three Ghana Air Force crew members identified as Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala (pilot), Flying Officer Manin Twum‑Ampadu (co‑pilot), and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
President John Mahama’s Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has described the crash as a “national tragedy”. He conveyed deep condolences to the families of the victims and announced that flags would fly at half‑mast nationwide. All official state activities planned for the day were suspended as a mark of respect.