Ghana is in mourning following the tragic crash of a military helicopter on Wednesday that claimed the lives of all eight individuals on board, including two senior government ministers and several top state officials. The nation has been plunged into grief as authorities confirm what is now considered one of Ghana’s deadliest aviation disasters in over a decade.
The aircraft, a Z-9 military helicopter operated by the Ghana Armed Forces, departed Accra in the early hours of the morning, heading northwest toward the gold-rich Obuasi enclave in the Ashanti Region. According to a preliminary statement from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), contact with the aircraft was lost shortly after takeoff. A frantic search operation ended in heartbreak when the charred wreckage was later discovered in the dense Adansi forest area near Obuasi.
The helicopter was reportedly en route to an environmental inspection tour involving key national stakeholders and top-level security advisors. The tour was aimed at addressing illegal mining and environmental degradation in Ghana’s central mining belt, where concerns over galamsey activities have heightened national alarm.
Among the victims were Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Hon. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. Both men were known for their tireless service and dedication to national development, especially in the areas of security and sustainable environmental practices.
Also killed in the crash were a senior national security advisor whose name was not immediately disclosed, the Vice-Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), and three crew members whose service records are now being honored posthumously by the military.
“This is not just a loss to the government; it is a devastating loss to the entire country,” said a government spokesperson in an official statement released hours after the wreckage was found. “Our hearts go out to the families of the departed, to the leadership of the NDC, and to the people of Ghana. We will leave no stone unturned in uncovering the truth behind this horrific tragedy.”
At the residence of the late Defence Minister in Accra, mourners gathered in solemn reflection. Party faithful, civil servants, and members of the general public were seen paying tribute, laying wreaths, and offering prayers. Similarly, the NDC headquarters has turned into a scene of sorrow and remembrance, with black flags hoisted and portraits of the deceased ministers displayed at the entrance.
President John Dramani Mahama, who returned from a working visit to the Volta Region upon receiving news of the crash, described the event as a “painful blow to our nation’s soul.” In a brief televised address, he said: “Ghana has lost patriots—men who dedicated their lives to the protection of our land, the safety of our people, and the preservation of our natural resources. May their legacies inspire a new generation of public servants.”
According to state media, the Z-9 helicopter involved in the crash is one of several rotary-wing aircraft used by the military for personnel transport, medical evacuation, and reconnaissance missions. The model, built under license by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation in China, has been in service with the Ghana Air Force for several years.
An amateur video circulating online showed part of the crash site, with burning wreckage scattered across a forest clearing as bystanders attempted to reach the area through thick bush. Eyewitnesses from a nearby village claimed they heard a loud explosion and saw smoke rising from the treetops around mid-morning.
The Ghana Armed Forces has launched a full-scale investigation into the incident in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority. Though the exact cause of the crash remains unknown, aviation safety experts say weather conditions, mechanical failure, and flight planning procedures will all be examined thoroughly.
“This is a very complex and sensitive case,” said retired Air Commodore Kojo Ayew, a former military aviation analyst. “The fact that two cabinet ministers and other high-ranking officials were on board raises critical questions about aircraft maintenance protocols, crew preparedness, and flight risk assessments. The investigation must be meticulous and transparent.”
This tragic incident marks Ghana’s worst aviation disaster since 2014, when a service helicopter operated by a private firm crashed off the country’s western coast, killing three people. In 2012, a cargo plane overran the runway at Kotoka International Airport in Accra and collided with a passenger bus on a nearby road, killing at least 10 civilians.
In the wake of Wednesday’s crash, tributes have been pouring in from across political lines. Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo called the news “devastating,” adding that “this is a moment for national unity, not politics.” International messages of condolence have also come in from Ghana’s diplomatic partners, including the African Union, ECOWAS, and the governments of Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and the United States.
Flags have been ordered to fly at half-mast for seven days, as the nation prepares for state funerals to honour the fallen officials. President Mahama has also announced the formation of a Special State Committee to coordinate national mourning activities and support the affected families.
As Ghana navigates this moment of collective grief, many citizens have called for an urgent review of the safety standards surrounding the use of military aircraft for high-level government missions. There are growing public concerns about the age and safety conditions of the military’s transport fleet.
For now, however, the country remains focused on remembrance. The names and legacies of the late Edward Omane Boamah and Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed will be etched into the national memory—not only for their roles in government but for the tragic way their service to Ghana came to an end.
May their souls rest in perfect peace.
