Ghana in national mourning as Defence, Environment ministers die in military helicopter crash

Ghana’s ministers of defense and environment have died in a military helicopter crash in the central Ashanti region, along with six other people, a government spokesperson says.

Defense Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, 50, were killed in the crash, which Chief of Staff Julius Debrah described as a “national tragedy”.

Earlier, the Ghana Armed Forces said the Z9 helicopter, which was carrying three crew and five passengers, had gone “off the radar” and reports the BBC.

It had taken off from the capital, Accra, at 09:12 local time (and GMT) and was heading to the town of Obuasi for an event to tackle illegal mining.

Images purportedly showing the charred remains of the helicopter are circulating on social media.

The authorities have not confirmed the cause of the crash.

The chief of staff had directed the country’s flags to fly at half-mast.

He extended condolences to “the servicemen who died in service to the country” on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the government.

Ghana’s Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, was also among the dead, along with Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress party.

The crew members were named as Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.