Tragic Helicopter Crash Claims Ghana’s Defense Minister and Seven Others
In a devastating incident, Ghana’s Defense Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among eight people killed in a military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, in the southern Ashanti region. The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that the Z9 helicopter, which was en route from Accra to Obuasi, a gold-mining town, lost radar contact shortly after 9:00 AM local time. All aboard, including three crew members and five passengers, perished in what has been described as a national tragedy.
The crash occurred in the Adansi Amrofuom District, with eyewitnesses reporting that the aircraft was engulfed in flames, leaving the wreckage barely recognizable. Alongside the ministers, the victims included Alhaji Mohammad Muniru Limuna, deputy national security coordinator and former agriculture minister, Samuel Sarpong, vice chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate. The crew members were identified as Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Julius Debrah, chief of staff to President John Mahama, announced the loss at a press conference, expressing the government’s condolences: “The president and government extend our sympathies to the families of our comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country.” President Mahama, deeply affected by the tragedy, canceled all official engagements, and flags across Ghana have been ordered to fly at half-mast.
The helicopter was reportedly traveling to an event addressing illegal mining, a pressing environmental issue in Ghana that has damaged water bodies and forests. Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the crash, and investigations are underway to determine what led to this catastrophic event. This marks one of Ghana’s worst aviation disasters in recent years, following incidents like a 2014 service helicopter crash and a 2021 cargo plane accident in Accra.
Edward Omane Boamah, a medical doctor and former communications minister, had been appointed defense minister in January 2025 after Mahama’s return to power. He was navigating complex security challenges, including threats from Islamist groups in the Sahel and internal conflicts in Ghana’s northeast. He was also set to release a book titled A Peaceful Man in an African Democracy, honoring former President John Atta Mills. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, a trained teacher and former MP, was tackling environmental issues as the minister for environment, science, and technology.
As Ghana mourns, the nation reflects on the loss of these dedicated public servants. Stay tuned to Street.co.ke for updates on this developing story and other news from across the continent.