Accra, Ghana — Ghana is in mourning following the tragic deaths of two government ministers and six others in a military helicopter crash in the Ashanti region.
The crash, which occurred on Tuesday, claimed the lives of Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah confirmed the fatalities in a press conference, calling the incident a “national tragedy.” He announced that flags across the country would fly at half-mast in honour of the victims.
Aircraft Went Off Radar
According to the Ghana Armed Forces, the helicopter went off radar during its flight while carrying three crew members and five passengers. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and investigations are ongoing.
Among the dead were Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister Alhaji Muniru Mohammed and Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.
The crew has been identified as:
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
- Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
National Leaders Devastated
President John Dramani Mahama is said to be deeply affected by the tragedy. “He is down, down emotionally,” Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu told AFP.
On behalf of the president and the entire government, Debrah extended condolences to the families of all those lost, particularly acknowledging “the servicemen who died in service to the country.”
Ministers’ Legacies
The loss of Defence Minister Boamah is particularly significant. A former communications and environment minister, Boamah had been instrumental in tackling rising jihadist threats along Ghana’s northern border with Burkina Faso.
In 2022, the France-based NGO Promediation revealed that jihadist groups had recruited as many as 300 young Ghanaians, intensifying concerns about regional instability.
Boamah’s forthcoming book, A Peaceful Man In An African Democracy, chronicling the life of late President John Atta Mills, was scheduled for release later this year.
Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed had led aggressive campaigns against illegal gold mining—commonly referred to as galamsey—which has devastated local ecosystems and poisoned rivers. His advocacy had sparked nationwide protests and became a central issue during Mahama’s recent presidential campaign.
A Nation in Grief
Ghanaians across the country have begun to express their grief and disbelief, as tributes pour in for the departed leaders. The crash marks one of the most devastating losses in recent Ghanaian political history.
As investigations continue, the nation remains united in sorrow, remembering those who lost their lives while serving their country.
