The Government of Ghana has officially confirmed the tragic deaths of eight individuals, including two cabinet ministers, following a military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, as the victims were en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) — a flagship initiative aimed at transforming Ghana’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.
At a solemn press conference held in Accra, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah confirmed the fatalities and extended condolences to the bereaved families and the nation.
“The Government of Ghana deeply regrets to announce the passing of eight distinguished citizens in a tragic helicopter crash. All national flags are to be flown at half-mast for one week in honour of the fallen,” he stated.
The victims have been identified as:
- Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence
- Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed – Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
- Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
- Samuel Aboagye – Former Member of Parliament
- Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of the NDC
The aircraft’s crew members also perished:
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
- Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
The Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter lost radar contact shortly after takeoff. According to initial reports, the aircraft was on an official government assignment headed for the Obuasi programme launch when disaster struck.
Emergency response teams were deployed immediately to the suspected crash location. Graphic footage and images from the crash site show charred wreckage and human remains, though authorities have withheld further graphic content out of respect for the victims and their families.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who was already in Obuasi for the programme, abandoned the event midway and proceeded to the crash site upon learning of the incident.
The officials were travelling to attend the launch of rCOMSDEP, a strategic government initiative aimed at formalizing and improving operations in Ghana’s ASM sector.
According to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, rCOMSDEP seeks to:
- Create community-owned mining cooperatives
- Provide professional training and legal concessions
- Establish modern shared processing centres equipped with eco-friendly gold recovery and water treatment systems
The programme was set to transform the livelihoods of thousands of small-scale miners and support sustainable resource extraction in Ghana.
In a short statement, the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that an investigation is underway:
“Efforts are ongoing to retrieve flight data and assess the cause of the crash. A formal inquiry will be launched with cooperation from aviation and security experts.”
This is Ghana’s second military aviation incident in just over a year. In March 2024, a helicopter crash near Bonsukrom in the Western Region left the aircraft severely damaged but caused no casualties.
The contrast with this week’s fatal crash has renewed calls for a comprehensive safety review of the nation’s military aviation fleet.
As of Thursday morning, condolence books have been opened at all Regional Coordinating Councils, Ministries, and the Jubilee House. President Akufo-Addo is expected to address the nation within the next 48 hours, and arrangements for a state memorial are reportedly underway.
Parliament has suspended sitting for three days in honour of the deceased.
Flags across public institutions have been lowered, and several political, civil society, and international bodies have issued statements of grief and solidarity with Ghana.
Authorities are expected to release preliminary findings of the investigation in the coming weeks. Until then, the nation mourns one of the worst high-level tragedies in recent history.
This story is developing. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
