Tragic Helicopter Crash in Ghana Claims Eight Lives, Including Key Ministers
A military helicopter crash in central Ghana on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including the nation’s defence and environment ministers. This incident marks one of the deadliest air disasters in the country in over a decade, prompting a national outpouring of grief and leaving a significant gap in the security leadership, reports 24brussels.
The Z-9 helicopter took off from Accra in the morning and was en route to Obuasi in the Ashanti region when it unexpectedly lost radar contact. Authorities located the wreckage in the Adansi area hours later, with no survivors among the victims.
The deceased included Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, alongside Samuel Sarpong, vice-chair of the ruling National Democratic Congress, and Muniru Mohammed, a senior national security adviser. Four Air Force personnel were also among those who perished in the crash.
Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff to President John Mahama, described the event as a “national tragedy.” He extended condolences to the families affected and acknowledged the significance of the loss. “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,” he stated.
The precise cause of the crash remains unknown. Military authorities have launched an investigation to determine the factors leading to this tragic event.
Boamah, who had previously served as communications minister, was appointed as defence minister in January following President Mahama’s return to power. His successor will face complex security challenges, as Ghana, like other coastal West African nations, confronts escalating threats from armed groups infiltrating from Burkina Faso and Mali.
The Z-9 helicopter is primarily utilized by the Ghanaian military for troop transport and medical evacuations. In the wake of the crash, mourners gathered outside Boamah’s residence and at the National Democratic Congress headquarters, reflecting on the profound loss.
This incident severely impacts Ghana’s political leadership and security structure amid rising regional instability. As the investigation continues, the nation must not only mourn its fallen leaders but also address pressing national security issues.
The government has announced three days of national mourning beginning Thursday, during which all flags will be flown at half-mast.
