Ghana Mourns as Helicopter Crash Claims Lives of Defence and Environment Ministers

Ghana was plunged into mourning on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, following a fatal military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight individuals, including two serving government ministers. The incident occurred at approximately 8:43 PM WAT in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.

The Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter, which departed Accra around 9:00 AM en route to Obuasi, lost radar contact before crashing under circumstances that remain under investigation.

All passengers and crew on board perished in the tragedy. Among the victims were Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.

Dr. Boamah, a medical doctor and veteran politician, had served as Defence Minister since January 2025. His public service career spanned several key positions, including Minister for Communications (2013–2017) and Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), contributing to the party’s 2024 electoral success.

An alumnus of the University of Ghana Medical School, the London School of Economics, and Harvard University—where he earned a master’s in Health Policy Planning and Financing—Dr. Boamah was also a strong proponent of cybersecurity, founding Ghana’s National Computer Emergency Response Team and supporting child online protection initiatives. He was widely admired in his hometown of Kwahu Obomeng for his efforts in championing youth empowerment and development.

Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, born December 14, 1974, was the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and the Member of Parliament for Tamale Central. He had previously represented the Nanton constituency and held roles as Deputy Minister for Information and Trade under former President John Mahama’s administration.

Muhammed held academic credentials from Ghana Senior High School, Tamale College of Education, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and the University of Ghana, where he earned postgraduate degrees in Development Planning and International Relations. He began his political journey in 2009 as Deputy National Coordinator of the National Youth Employment Programme.

Also among the deceased were Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO); and three Ghana Air Force personnel: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

President John Dramani Mahama responded to the tragedy by cancelling all official engagements and ordering national flags to be flown at half-mast. His Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, issued a statement expressing the presidency’s deep sorrow, calling the incident a “national tragedy.”

The crash occurred amid heightened national security concerns, including threats from extremist groups near the northern border with Burkina Faso and ongoing military operations addressing local conflicts in the northeast.

While unconfirmed, it has been reported that the ministers were travelling to attend a stakeholder engagement related to illegal mining activities in Obuasi, possibly organised by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.

Public grief has been widespread. Tributes poured in online, including a heartfelt message from Dr. Boamah’s cousin, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye. In Kwahu Obomeng, residents gathered to honor their native son, remembering him as a humble and impactful leader.