Ghana has launched a full investigation into a military helicopter crash that killed Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six other people, including senior officials and air force crew.
The crash occurred on August 6, 2025, in the Ashanti region while the helicopter was en route from Accra to Obuasi for an event addressing illegal mining.
The helicopter, a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9, lost radar contact shortly after departure. All eight occupants on board died in the crash, with the wreckage found in a forested area of the Adansi district.
The victims also included Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress Samuel Sarpong, and three Ghana Air Force crew members.
President John Mahama announced that the flight data and cockpit voice recorders have been recovered, and a special board of inquiry has been set up to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the disaster.
A state funeral for the victims is scheduled for August 15, 2025. The government also declared three days of national mourning, and flags are flying at half-mast nationwide.
Local reports indicated poor weather conditions, including fog, around the time of the crash, though the exact cause remains undetermined.
President Mahama expressed deep sorrow, describing the incident as a moment of shared heartbreak for the nation.
The crash is one of Ghana’s deadliest air disasters in recent years and has drawn condolences from international bodies including the African Union and ECOWAS, highlighting the profound impact on the country’s leadership and governance.
