The helicopter had taken off from Accra on its way to an event in the Ashanti Region. It never arrived. On 6 August 2025, the Ghana Air Force aircraft crashed in a forested area in Adansi, killing all eight people on board. Among them were two serving ministers, a senior security official and a party leader. Ghana was plunged into grief, and President John Mahama declared a period of national mourning.
The flight and the victims
The aircraft, a Z-9 helicopter of the Ghana Air Force, left Accra in the morning bound for Obuasi, carrying officials to an event connected with the fight against illegal mining. It went off radar and was later found crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District. Those killed included Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, NDC vice chairman Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye and three crew members.
Dr Omane Boamah, a medical doctor, had previously served as communications minister and was a senior figure in the NDC.
Mourning, the investigation and funerals
Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, MP for Nanton, had been leading efforts against illegal mining as environment minister. The government declared national mourning, and flags flew at half-mast. Tributes came from across the political divide, from religious leaders and from foreign governments. The Ghana Armed Forces and other authorities began an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Rescue teams and local residents helped recover the bodies from the crash site. State funerals and burials were held for the victims. The crash raised questions about the condition of military aircraft and safety procedures.
Remembering them and the crew
Families and colleagues remembered the victims as dedicated public servants. The loss came amid the government’s campaign against illegal mining, and leaders pledged to continue that work. The crew members who died were remembered by the Ghana Armed Forces as dedicated airmen, and military honours were part of the funeral arrangements. The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and international partners were reported to be assisting the investigation into what went wrong.
Eight people boarded the helicopter that morning to work on a national problem. Ghana mourned them together, across the lines of party and region.
