Ghana is in mourning after a military helicopter crash on Wednesday morning claimed the lives of eight people, including two senior government ministers.
Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed were among the victims.
The Z-9 aircraft went down near Adansi-Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region shortly after departing Accra.
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah confirmed the tragic news at a brief press conference. Also killed were Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former Food and Agriculture Minister and NDC Vice Chairman; former parliamentary candidate Mr. Samuel Aboagye; and three Ghana Armed Forces crew members.
The officials were travelling to launch the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme when the helicopter disappeared from radar.
Emergency teams found the wreckage engulfed in flames. Images from the scene showed the aircraft’s charred remains.
Authorities have not yet released a complete list of the deceased or disclosed if there were any survivors. The cause of the crash remains unknown and is under active investigation.
Debrah conveyed President John Mahama’s condolences, announcing flags would fly at half-mast nationwide. “The President and government extend our condolences and sympathies to the families of our comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country,” Debrah stated.
The loss deals a significant blow to Mahama’s administration and the ruling National Democratic Congress.
