The Ghanaian government has confirmed that eight people, including two senior ministers, died in a military helicopter crash on Wednesday in the Ashanti Region.
Minister of Defense Edward Kofi Omane Boamah and Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation Murtala Muhammed were among those killed, as announced by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah at a press briefing.
“I have the unpleasant duty to announce a national tragedy involving the crash of a military helicopter this morning around the Adansi area in the Ashanti Region,” Debrah stated.
The Ghana Armed Forces reported that the helicopter departed from the capital, Accra, and was en route to Obuasi, a gold-mining area in the Ashanti Region, when it lost contact and crashed in Adansi.
Other victims include Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed Limuna, National Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress Samuel Sarpong, and former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye.
Three crew members—Peter Bafemi Anala, Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Ernest Addo Mensah—were also confirmed dead.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and the military has launched an investigation.
President Nana Akufo-Addo and the government have expressed condolences to the families of the victims, ordering national flags to be flown at half-mast until further notice.
