Ghana Army Helicopter Crash: List Of Government and NDC Bigwigs Who Died In Tragic Incident
- The government has released the list of the persons who died in the Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash
- An initial army statement said eight people were on board the helicopter, including five passengers
- Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, all national flags are to fly at half-mast until further notice to mourn the lives lost in the line of duty
The presidency has confirmed that some top government officials and National Democratic Congress figures were involved in a helicopter crash on August 6.
The crash occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
Source: Facebook
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah confirmed the worst fears of Ghanaians in a press conference at the presidency.
The five civilians in the crash were identified as:
- Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah
- Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed
- Deputy National Security Coordinator Limuna Muniru
- Former Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Samuel Sarpong
- Former Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East Samuel Aboagye
Source: Twitter
The army personnel involved in the crash were identified as:
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
- Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
Executive Director at Bureau of Public Safety, Nana Yaw Akwada, told YEN.com.gh the government needed to ensure an independent probe into the crash.
"We call on the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Armed Forces to initiate an independent and transparent investigation, guided by the principles of ICAO Annex 13, which, although tailored for civil aviation, represents global best practices in accident investigation."
"Its key elements—thorough analysis, impartiality, and public accountability—can and should be applied in this military context to ensure clarity, public trust, and institutional learning."
About the Ghana Army helicopter crash
According to initial reports, the high-ranking government officials were aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi when the aircraft went off radar.
Emergency response teams rushed to the crash site following the incident.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who was attending an anti-illegal mining event at the time, reportedly abandoned the programme and rushed to the crash scene upon receiving the news.
In a brief statement, the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that efforts were underway to trace and assess the wreckage of the helicopter after it lost contact shortly after takeoff on Wednesday morning.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and authorities have yet to confirm further details.
This incident comes more than a year after a previous helicopter accident on March 19, 2024, when a military aircraft crash-landed near Bonsukrom in the Western Region. Fortunately, that earlier crash resulted in no fatalities.
How is the Ghana government mourning the crash?
Debrah announced that all national flags are to fly at half-mast until further notice in honour of those who perished in the crash.
Vice President Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang is expected to visit some of the bereaved families, starting with Boamah's family in Koforidua.
“The President and government extend our condolences and sympathies to the families of our comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country.”
Eyewitness recounts army helicopter crash
YEN.com.gh reported that an eyewitness who was seen at the accident scene recounted how the crash occurred.
According to the individual, he and others discovered six bodies after arriving at the scene. He noted that some personnel from the Ghanaian military, the Local Assembly Member for Sikaman, and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, had arrived at the crash scene to assess the situation.
He said the helicopter lost its balance as it hit a tree and a mountain before going down in flames in the thick forest in Adansi Akrofum.
Source: YEN.com.gh
