Ghana Mourns as Two Ministers Killed in One Day in Helicopter Crash

Ghana has been thrown into national mourning following the death of eight people, including two high-ranking ministers in an helicopter crash that occurred on Tuesday, August 6, 2025, in the southern Ashanti Region.

Among the casualties were Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, according to a statement released by Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff to President John Mahama. The crash also claimed the lives of Alhaji Mohammad Muniru Limuna, Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister, and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The helicopter, operated by the Ghanaian Air Force, reportedly lost contact with radar shortly after departing Accra at 9:00 am local time. It was en route to the town of Obuasi when it went down, carrying three crew members and five passengers—all of whom perished.

President Mahama has cancelled all official activities for the day as a mark of respect and has ordered all national flags to be flown at half-mast.

“We extend our deepest condolences and solidarity to the families of our comrades and soldiers who lost their lives in service to the nation,” Debrah stated on behalf of the presidency.

The crash comes at a time when Ghana is increasing its military vigilance along its northern borders with Burkina Faso, amid growing threats of armed insurgency in the Sahel region. Defence Minister Boamah had been instrumental in strengthening security ties and leading peace delegations to neighbouring states, most recently to Ouagadougou in May.

A trained medical doctor, Boamah had previously served as Communications Minister and Deputy Environment Minister under Mahama’s earlier administration (2012–2017). He was also set to release a book on former President John Atta Mills, titled A Peaceful Man in an African Democracy.