Ghana has begun a formal investigation into the tragic crash of a military helicopter that claimed the lives of eight people, including two sitting ministers of state and other high-ranking officials. The devastating incident, which occurred on Wednesday morning, has plunged the nation into mourning, prompting the government to declare a three-day national period of remembrance, with flags to be flown at half-mast across the country.
The crash is being described as one of the worst air disasters in Ghana’s recent history, both in terms of its casualties and the caliber of personalities lost. Among the deceased are the Honourable Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence, and Honourable Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation. Also confirmed dead is Mr. Samuel Sarpong, the Vice-Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), as well as a prominent national security adviser, Mr. Muniru Mohammed. The four other victims were military crew members operating the flight.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) said the Z-9 helicopter departed from the capital, Accra, on Wednesday morning and was en route to the Ashanti Region, specifically the Obuasi mining enclave, when it suddenly disappeared from radar. The aircraft was later discovered in the Adansi forest area, with no survivors found at the crash site.
While the immediate cause of the crash remains unknown, authorities have confirmed that a comprehensive investigation is underway. Both the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ministry of Transport, in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority, are expected to lead the inquiry. Aviation experts have been deployed to the scene to retrieve flight data, examine wreckage, and determine the exact circumstances that led to the tragic incident.
Government officials have described the crash as a “national tragedy” and urged Ghanaians to unite in grief and prayer as the country mourns its fallen leaders. In a national address on Wednesday evening, President John Dramani Mahama expressed deep sorrow over the loss and announced that a three-day national mourning period would begin on Thursday.
“These were men of great dedication and patriotism who gave their all for Ghana,” President Mahama said. “Their untimely deaths are not only a personal loss to their families but a painful wound to the soul of our nation. Let us honour their memory with unity, reflection, and a renewed commitment to serve.”
Family members, government colleagues, and political allies have been gathering at the residence of the late Defence Minister, Edward Omane Boamah, to offer condolences and support. The NDC party headquarters has also become a site of quiet grief and remembrance, with black flags hoisted, candles lit, and tributes pouring in from around the country.
The late Muniru Mohammed, the national security advisor, is expected to be buried on Thursday in accordance with Islamic rites, as his family and members of the Muslim community prepare for a solemn farewell.
The aircraft involved in the crash was identified as a Z-9 helicopter, a model widely used in the Ghana Armed Forces for various purposes including personnel transport, aerial surveillance, and medical evacuation. While the aircraft type has served the military reliably for years, this incident is expected to prompt a renewed evaluation of its operational safety and maintenance protocols.
Eyewitnesses near the Adansi forest, where the wreckage was discovered, reported seeing a plume of smoke and hearing what sounded like a loud explosion around mid-morning. Amateur footage circulating online shows burning debris scattered in a forested area as concerned citizens attempt to reach the site.
“This is a very painful moment for all of us,” said Colonel Kwabena Osei, a senior officer with the Ghana Air Force. “We have lost fine officers and dedicated public servants. Their memories will live on through the work they have done for this country.”
As news of the tragedy spread across the country, tributes have been pouring in from across the political spectrum. Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in a social media post, described the news as “heartbreaking” and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
“It is moments like this that remind us of the fragility of life and the depth of sacrifice made by those who serve our nation at the highest levels,” he wrote.
The international community has also begun expressing solidarity with Ghana. The African Union Commission Chairperson issued a statement extending sympathies to the government and people of Ghana, while ECOWAS and several West African heads of state have also sent formal messages of condolence.
The deceased ministers were reportedly on their way to Obuasi to assess the impact of illegal mining on the environment—a national security and ecological concern that both had been vocal about in recent months. Their commitment to tackling environmental degradation and ensuring the safety of resource-rich regions was described by colleagues as “relentless” and “visionary.”
“Their work was not finished, but their passion lives on,” said NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah. “We will continue the fight they started—for justice, for our environment, and for a better Ghana.”
The tragedy has also sparked renewed public debate about the safety standards of military aircraft used for official transport missions, particularly those involving top-level government officials. Some civil society groups have already called for an independent aviation safety audit, demanding transparency and accountability.
As the nation braces for state funerals and a painful period of mourning, flags across Ghana will remain at half-mast, symbolizing the depth of the collective national loss. Churches, mosques, and traditional leaders have all been urged to offer special prayers for the departed souls during the mourning period.
While the investigation into the crash continues, the legacy of those who perished in Wednesday’s flight is already being written—not in sorrow alone, but in recognition of their service, sacrifice, and love for country.
May their souls rest in perfect peace.
