Ghana has been thrown into mourning after a military helicopter crash killed two top ministers and six others in the central Ashanti region.
Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed died when their helicopter went off radar shortly after leaving Accra on Wednesday morning. The aircraft was heading to Obuasi for an event on illegal mining.
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah described the incident as a “national tragedy,” announcing that all national flags will fly at half-mast.
The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that the Z9 military helicopter, carrying three crew members and five passengers, vanished from radar shortly after takeoff at 09:12 local time.
Images said to show the burnt wreckage of the helicopter have since surfaced online, though the cause of the crash is still unknown.
Also among the victims were Ghana’s Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, and Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress.
The flight crew included Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
President John Dramani Mahama is said to be “down, down emotionally,” according to Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, who spoke to news agency AFP.
Boamah, who had previously served as communications minister, was recently focused on tackling the growing threat of jihadist activity near Ghana’s northern border with Burkina Faso. A 2022 report by Promediation, a French-based NGO, warned that up to 300 young Ghanaians had been recruited by extremist groups.
He was also set to publish a book later this year titled A Peaceful Man In An African Democracy, which reflects on the leadership of former president John Atta Mills.
Muhammed had been a vocal figure in the fight against illegal gold mining, known locally as Galamsey. The mining has caused severe environmental damage, and public protests over the issue had surged during Mahama’s recent presidential campaign.
On behalf of the government, Chief of Staff Debrah extended his condolences to the families and colleagues of those who died, saying, “The servicemen died in service to the country.”
