Ghana Mourns as Defence Minister, Seven Others Die in Helicopter Crash

Ghana Mourns as Defence Minister, Seven Others Die in Helicopter Crash

Tinubu Commiserates with President Mahama

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

Ghana has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of its Defence Minister, Edward Omane Boamah; Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; and six others in a military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.

The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that the Z-9 military helicopter, which departed Accra en route to Obuasi, lost radar contact shortly after 9 a.m.

All five passengers and three crew members onboard were killed when the aircraft went down in the Adansi Akrofuom District.

Among the deceased were Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, and Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

President John Mahama described the incident as a national tragedy, declaring a day of mourning. Flags are to be flown at half-mast nationwide, and all presidential engagements have been suspended. He hailed the victims as patriots who lost their lives in service to the nation.

Eyewitnesses reported that the crash site was completely destroyed. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.

The deaths of the two ministers, both appointed earlier this year, have sent shockwaves through Ghana’s political landscape.

Reacting to the news, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his heartfelt condolences to President Mahama and the people of Ghana over the incident, which claimed the lives of eight prominent Ghanaians.

In a statement issued Wednesday in Abuja by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said the government and people of Nigeria stand in solidarity with Ghana in this moment of profound national grief.

The President urged the Ghanaian people and the bereaved families to find solace in the knowledge that their loved ones died serving their country with honour and commitment.

“He prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and strength for those they left behind,” the statement added.