Tension and anxiety have filled Ghana following reports that two government ministers have died in a helicopter crash involving a Ghana Air Force aircraft in the Ashanti Region.
Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, have both been reported dead after the military helicopter they were travelling in went off radar earlier today.
The aircraft, a Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter, is said to have taken off from Accra at exactly 0912 hours en route to Obuasi but lost contact with air traffic control shortly after. The helicopter had a total of eight people on board—three crew members and five passengers.
In a statement released shortly after the incident, the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed the aircraft’s disappearance, stating:
“All efforts are being made to establish contact.”
As of now, further official details regarding the crash and possible survivors have not been confirmed.
This tragic event comes just a year after a similar incident involving a Ghana Air Force helicopter. That aircraft crash-landed in Bonsokrom, located within the Ahanta West Municipality in the Western Region. It had been carrying 14 individuals, including staff from the Petroleum sector regulatory agencies.
Fortunately, all passengers in that incident were safely accounted for.
“All passengers on board have been accounted for and there were no fatalities. However, they have been evacuated and are currently undergoing routine medical checkups,” the Ghana Armed Forces indicated at the time.
Air Force personnel later cordoned off the Bonsokrom crash site from public access to ensure safety and protect the investigation.
Profile: Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah
Dr. Omane Boamah is a distinguished Ghanaian medical doctor, politician, and Health Policy Planning and Financing Analyst. He held an impressive academic background, having studied at the University of Ghana Medical School, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Harvard University.
Throughout his career, he seamlessly blended his medical training with expertise in strategic negotiation, financial planning, ICT, and environmental security. As Minister for Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, he championed several national initiatives including the rollout of the 4G LTE (GOTA) network to improve communication among Ghana’s security agencies. He also spearheaded cybersecurity efforts, particularly around Child Online Protection.
Having previously served as a civilian employee at the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Boamah is widely respected for his unwavering commitment to national and human security.
