Ghana’s Minister of Defence and Minister of Environment are among eight individuals who have died following a military helicopter crash in the Ashanti region, according to a government spokesperson.
The deceased include Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, 50. Chief of Staff Julius Debrah characterized the incident as a “national tragedy.”
Earlier reports from the Ghana Armed Forces indicated that the helicopter, carrying three crew members and five passengers, had “gone off the radar.”
The aircraft departed from Accra at 09:12 local time (GMT) en route to Obuasi, where an event addressing illegal mining was scheduled.
Images circulating on social media purportedly depict the charred wreckage of the helicopter.
Authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the crash.
The Chief of Staff has ordered national flags to be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning.
On behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the government, he conveyed condolences to “the servicemen who died in service to the country.”
Also among the deceased are Ghana’s Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, as well as Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress party.
The crew members have been identified as Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
News agency AFP cited Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu as stating that President Mahama was “down, down emotionally.”
Prior to his appointment as Defence Minister, Boamah served as communications minister and minister of environment under Mahama’s previous administration. As defence minster he addressed the rise of jihadist activity in the northern border with Burkina Faso.
Boamah was also an author, with his book, *A Peaceful Man In An African Democracy,* about former president John Atta Mills, scheduled for release later this year.
Muhammed was a leading figure in the effort to combat illegal gold mining, a practice that has caused significant environmental damage and contaminated water sources.
Protests against this practice, known locally as Galamsey, intensified during Mahama’s presidential campaign last year.
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