Helicopter Crash in Ghana Kills Defense Minister and Seven Others

A Z-9 military helicopter tragically crashed in the Adansi-Akrofuom region of Ashanti, Ghana, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals, including the country’s Defense Minister, Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.

The helicopter was en route from Accra at 09:12 local time, headed for Obuasi town to partake in a program aimed at combating illegal mining. Shortly after takeoff, communication with the helicopter was lost, and it was later discovered engulfed in flames. Among the deceased were Mohammed Muniru Limuna, the Deputy Director of the National Security Coordinator, Samuel Sarpong, the Deputy Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, as well as three crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Co-Pilot Malin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

In response to the tragedy, Julius Debrah, Ghana’s presidential chief of staff, declared it a national disaster. He ordered flags to be flown at half-mast throughout the country until further notice. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation, with speculation suggesting that the helicopter may have been fired upon from the ground.