ACCRA, GHANA — A devastating military helicopter crash in Ghana has claimed the lives of all eight people on board, including two senior government ministers, in what has been described as a “national tragedy.” The incident occurred on Wednesday as the helicopter was en route to the Ashanti region.
The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that the deceased include Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. The others who perished in the crash were Samuel Sarpong, the Vice-Chair of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) party; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, a senior national security adviser; and the helicopter’s three crew members.
The Z-9 utility helicopter, a type commonly used for transport and medical evacuations, took off from the capital city of Accra on Wednesday morning, heading northwest to the gold-mining town of Obuasi. According to reports, the officials were scheduled to attend an event related to the fight against illegal mining, a significant issue in the region.
The military reported that the aircraft went off radar shortly after takeoff. The wreckage was later discovered in a forested area in Adansi Akrofuom district of the Ashanti region. Local media showed images of the charred debris, indicating the helicopter burst into flames on impact.
The government has launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the crash. No distress call was received before the incident, leading investigators to consider various possibilities, including mechanical failure, weather conditions, or human error.
In a statement, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah expressed the government’s profound condolences to the families of the victims, praising their dedicated service to the nation. As a mark of national mourning, President John Mahama has ordered flags across the country to fly at half-mast.
This crash is considered one of Ghana’s most severe aviation disasters in over a decade. The Ghana Air Force has grounded its entire fleet of Z-9 helicopters pending the outcome of the investigation. The deaths of the two ministers and other key officials have created significant leadership gaps, particularly at a time when Ghana is facing security concerns along its border with Burkina Faso.
