A tragic military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6, has reportedly claimed the lives of the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. Others confirmed dead in the crash are Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former Parliamentary Candidate; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of NDC; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The high-ranking government officials were aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi when the aircraft went off radar. Emergency response teams rushed to the crash site. Graphic footage showed charred remains of several victims. The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, abandoned an anti-illegal mining event to rush to the crash scene.
The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed efforts to trace and assess the wreckage after the helicopter lost contact shortly after takeoff. The cause of the crash remains unknown. This incident comes over a year after a military aircraft crash-landed near Bonsukrom in the Western Region with no fatalities. President Mahama has ordered national flags to fly at half-mast in honour of the deceased.
