John AdoyiTwo senior Ghanaian ministers and six others have died after the Armed Forces helicopter crashed in the Ashanti Region during an official mission.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday morning, has plunged the West African nation into mourning and prompted President John Dramani Mahama’s administration
to declare a period of national mourning.
Among the deceased were Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Ghana’s Minister for Defence, and Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology
and Innovation. Both were on board the military helicopter, a Z-9 model, which was flying from the capital, Accra, to the gold-rich town of Obuasi when it went down near Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
Also confirmed dead were Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the opposition National
Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Ashanti Regional Minister, and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East. The three military personnel on board, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, also lost their lives.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) expressed condolences in an official statement and confirmed that a detailed investigation is already underway.
“Investigations have commenced to determine the cause of the accident,” the military said, noting that technical teams comprising Air Force specialists, aviation safety experts and independent assessors had been dispatched to the crash site. “They are expected to examine the wreckage, retrieve and review flight data, and evaluate the aircraft’s maintenance records.”
While the cause of the crash remains unknown, military sources say all possible factors, including mechanical failure, adverse weather and procedural issues, are being considered.
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, speaking on behalf of President Mahama, confirmed the fatalities and announced that national flags would be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of those who perished.
“The President and government extend our deepest condolences to the families of our comrades and the gallant servicemen who died in service to the nation,” Debrah said.
The officials were travelling to Obuasi to participate in the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), a government initiative aimed at promoting sustainable small-scale mining practices and combating illegal mining, commonly known in Ghana as galamsey.
Eyewitnesses in Sikaman reported seeing the aircraft descend rapidly before hearing a loud explosion. Security forces later cordoned off the area, and emergency personnel began the task of recovering bodies from the crash site.
The deaths have shocked the nation, with tributes pouring in from across the political divide. President Mahama, according to government officials, has suspended public engagements and is expected to visit affected families.
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This marks one of the worst aviation tragedies involving government officials in Ghana in more than a decade. International leaders have also expressed solidarity, with Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio posting a message of condolence and support on social media.
As investigations continue, the government has urged the public and the media to avoid speculation and allow aviation experts to complete their work.
