President Bola Tinubu has extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Ghana following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of several top government officials, including Ghana’s Defence Minister, Edward Omane Boamah, and Environment Minister, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
The ill-fated military chopper, which was carrying five passengers and three crew members, reportedly disappeared from radar on Wednesday. Ghanaian authorities confirmed the crash hours after the incident, sending shockwaves across the West African sub-region and beyond.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday evening, President Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the loss and solidarity with Ghana during this period of national mourning.
“President Tinubu assures President John Mahama and all Ghanaians that the thoughts and prayers of the government and people of Nigeria are with them during this time of profound national loss,” the statement read.
He praised the deceased officials for their patriotic service to their nation and encouraged the bereaved families to take solace in the fact that their loved ones died in the line of duty.
“The President urges the Ghanaian nation and the bereaved families and friends to find comfort in the knowledge that their loved ones died in the line of patriotic service to the country,” the statement added. “He prays for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and strength for those left behind.”
The Ghanaian Presidency earlier confirmed the accident, revealing that the aircraft was part of the military fleet assigned for official duties. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash, and recovery operations have been launched to retrieve the remains of those onboard.
This unfortunate incident marks one of Ghana’s most devastating losses of top-ranking officials in a single day, drawing messages of sympathy from African leaders, regional bodies, and the international community.
The late Defence Minister, Boamah, was widely respected for his role in modernizing Ghana’s armed forces and advocating for regional security cooperation, while Environment Minister Murtala Muhammed was a leading voice on climate change resilience and sustainable development initiatives in West Africa.
President Tinubu’s message is seen as a reaffirmation of the strong diplomatic and fraternal ties between Nigeria and Ghana, two influential nations in the ECOWAS sub-region that have long collaborated on peacekeeping, economic development, and cultural exchange.
As tributes pour in from across Africa, analysts say the loss of these key figures may reshape policy directions in Ghana’s defence and environmental sectors in the coming months.