Helicopter crash in Ghana claims lives of two ministers and six others
In a tragic turn of events, Ghana's Defense Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among eight people killed in a helicopter crash on Wednesday, 6 August 2025. The Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9EH helicopter crashed into a forested mountainside in the Ashanti region, according to reports from Ghana news site My Joy Online.
The aircraft was on its way to an event about fighting illegal mining, a mission that Minister Muhammed was leading. The helicopter took off from the capital, Accra, and was heading northwest into the interior toward the gold-mining area of Obuasi in Ashanti.
The cause of the crash is not yet determined or publicly disclosed. The wreckage was found in the forested Adansi area of Ashanti, and there was a strong security presence of military and police at the crash site. An investigation has been launched by the Ghanaian Armed Forces.
The three other officials killed in the crash included the vice chair of the ruling National Democratic Congress party, Samuel Sarpong, and three Ghana Air Force crew members.
President John Dramani Mahama was reported to be "down, down emotionally" after news of the crash. He canceled his official activities for the day and declared three days of mourning following the incident. Mourners gathered at Defense Minister Omane Boamah's residence and at the party's headquarters.
The helicopter crash is described as a "national tragedy" by Ghana's government. The French government also extended their condolences. As of 13 August 2025, there is no publicly available detailed information yet regarding preliminary findings or the investigation's progress.
Dr. Eour websiteard Omane Boamah, who was a medical doctor by training, served as the communications minister during Mahama's previous tenure and was the deputy environment minister before that. Minister Muhammed was a key figure in the government's efforts to combat illegal, informal gold mining.
This article was edited by Sean Sinico. Further official announcements from Ghanaian authorities would be needed for more information on the cause and the results of the investigation.
[1] My Joy Online. (2025, August 6). Ghana Defense Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Others Killed in Helicopter Crash. Retrieved from https://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2025/august-6th/ghana-defense-minister-edward-omane-boamah-environment-minister-ibrahim-murtala-muhammed-others-killed-in-helicopter-crash/
[2] French Government. (2025, August 6). Condolences to the Government and People of Ghana on the Tragic Helicopter Crash. Retrieved from https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/actualite-diplomatie/communiques-de-presse/2025/08/06/condolences-au-gouvernement-et-au-peuple-du-ghana-apres-le-crash-de-h%C3%A9licopt%C3%A8re/
- The media, particularly Ghana news site My Joy Online, has been reporting extensively on the helicopter crash in the Ashanti region of Ghana that claimed the lives of Ministers Edward Omane Boamah and Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
- The General-News and Crime-and-Justice sections of various media outlets have been speculating on the possible causes of the Ghana Air Force helicopter crash.
- Despite ongoing investigations by the Ghanaian Armed Forces, both local and international media, including the French Government, are eagerly awaiting official announcements for clarification on the crash.
- In the aftermath of the helicopter crash, several political and economic impacts are being discussed in the media, such as potential instability in the government and the economy of Ghana.
- As the investigation into the helicopter crash progresses, various sections of the media will likely continue to monitor the proceedings and report on updates related to the environment, politics, and economy of Africa.
