A military helicopter crash Wednesday in Ghana’s Ashanti region killed all eight on board, including Defense Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, government officials confirmed.
The Z-9 aircraft departed Accra at 09:12 GMT en route to Obuasi for an event on illegal mining but lost contact shortly after takeoff. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the crash.
Unverified photos circulating on social media purportedly show the charred wreckage of the helicopter.
PHOTOS: Wreckage from Fatal Military Helicopter Crash. Images from the crash site show the mangled remains of the Ghana Armed Forces aircraft that went off radar en route to Obuasi. All eight onboard, including Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr.… pic.twitter.com/u4Hq03oTMi
— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) August 6, 2025
🇬🇭 PHOTOS: GAF Helicopter Crash – Images Emerge from Site.
A Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter reportedly went ‘off radar’ en route to Obuasi on Wednesday morning, August 6. These are scenes from the crash site.#CitiNewsroom pic.twitter.com/inbKyYIuuZ— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) August 6, 2025
Also among the dead were Alhaji Mohammad Muniru Limuna, deputy national security coordinator and former agriculture minister; Samuel Sarpong, vice chairman of the National Democratic Congress; and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate.
The aircrew members who died in the crash were identified as Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
In a news release, the Ghana Armed Forces said the victims’ bodies were flown to Accra on Wednesday aboard a Ghana Air Force Casa aircraft. A ceremony was held upon arrival at the Air Force Base, where religious leaders offered prayers in a solemn tribute.
Caskets of the eight(8) victims of the GAF Z9 Helicopter Crash, who perished in the afternoon hours of today draped in the Ghana Flag, as members of the clergy gather at the Airforce Base, to offer their prayers as part of the receiving ceremony. pic.twitter.com/e9ep4aJLLZ
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) August 6, 2025
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah called the crash a “national tragedy” and extended condolences to the families of “the servicemen who died in service to the country” on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the government. He also announced that flags would be flown at half-staff in their honor.
