The government has confirmed that eight people, including two high-ranking officials, died in a military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
Among the victims were Ghana’s Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Murtala Mohammed.
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah announced the tragic news at a press briefing, ordering all national flags to be flown at half-mast in honour of the deceased. He also conveyed the government’s deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the nation. Other casualties included Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former MP; and Samuel Sarpong, a Vice Chairman of the NDC.
The crew members who lost their lives were identified as Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The officials had been aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter heading to Obuasi for a national assignment when the aircraft disappeared from radar. Emergency teams were quickly deployed to the crash site, where graphic images showed the wreckage and charred remains of victims.
Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who was at the Obuasi event the delegation was meant to attend, abruptly left and rushed to the scene upon hearing the news.
In a brief statement, the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that search and recovery operations were ongoing, with the cause of the crash still under investigation. The helicopter had lost contact shortly after takeoff on Wednesday morning.
This tragedy follows another military helicopter crash on March 19, 2024, near Bonsukrom in the Western Region, though no lives were lost in that incident.
The officials were en route to the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), a flagship initiative aimed at reforming Ghana’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.
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