Ghana was thrown into mourning on Wednesday following the tragic deaths of two prominent cabinet ministers — Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed — in a helicopter crash that also claimed the lives of six others, including key government officials and military personnel.
The helicopter, belonging to the Ghana Armed Forces, lost radar contact shortly after it departed Accra around 9:00 am en route to the central mining town of Obuasi. A few hours later, the worst fears were confirmed: all eight individuals on board — three crew members and five passengers — were dead.
The Ghanaian Presidency officially confirmed the incident through a statement from Chief of Staff Julius Debrah. “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,” the statement read. President John Mahama immediately cancelled all official engagements and ordered national flags to be flown at half-mast in honour of the fallen leaders.
Among the victims were not only Boamah and Muhammed, but also Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Ghana’s Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister of Agriculture. Also on board was Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The deaths of the ministers have left a vacuum in key sectors of Ghana’s government. Boamah, who was a medical doctor by training, had a long-standing political career that included roles as Deputy Minister for Environment and later as Communications Minister under Mahama’s previous administration from 2012 to 2017. He returned to the cabinet earlier this year as Defence Minister, amid growing security concerns in the subregion.
Boamah’s tenure came at a critical time, with increasing instability in Burkina Faso — Ghana’s northern neighbour — raising fears of jihadist spillover into Ghanaian territory. Though Ghana has so far escaped the wave of extremist violence destabilizing parts of West Africa, analysts have warned of heightened arms trafficking and the risk of militant infiltration across its porous borders.
Boamah had recently led a high-level Ghanaian delegation to Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation on regional peace and security. The trip was seen as pivotal given the military juntas now in power in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger — all of whom have distanced themselves from ECOWAS, the West African regional bloc.
He was also preparing to launch a book titled “A Peaceful Man in an African Democracy,” a tribute to former President John Atta Mills, who died in office in 2012.
Prominent African leaders, including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, have sent condolence messages to President Mahama and the people of Ghana. In a statement, Tinubu described the crash as a “profound tragedy” and praised the ministers for their dedication to public service and regional cooperation.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) expressed shock and sorrow at the loss of its loyal members, pledging to honour their legacy by continuing the work they championed.
While rescue operations were concluded, an investigation into the cause of the crash has been launched by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority in collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces. Preliminary findings have not yet been disclosed, though bad weather and possible mechanical faults are being considered.
The Presidency has declared a three-day period of national mourning beginning Thursday, August 7, 2025. State burial arrangements for the deceased officials are expected to be announced shortly.
As Ghana grapples with this national tragedy, questions remain about air safety protocols for government officials and the country’s preparedness for mounting regional security threats.