Ghana Military Helicopter Crash Claims Eight Lives Including Two Cabinet Ministers
Key Takeaways
A Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter crashed in the Ashanti region on August 6, 2025, killing all eight people aboard, including Defense Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. The aircraft departed Accra at approximately 9:00 AM local time en route to Obuasi, a mining town in southern Ghana, before losing radar contact. The ministers were reportedly traveling to attend the launch of a cooperative mining program addressing illegal mining, a significant environmental challenge in Ghana.
The tragedy occurs amid heightened regional security concerns, with jihadist activity increasing near Ghana's northern border with Burkina Faso. Also killed were Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Mohammad Muniru Limuna, National Democratic Congress Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, and three crew members.
Edward Omane Boamah, a medical doctor by training, had served as Defense Minister since President John Mahama's inauguration in January 2025, previously holding roles as communications minister during Mahama's 2012-2017 term. As Ghana pursued increased diplomacy with military governments in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, Boamah had recently led a delegation to Ouagadougou in May. He was overseeing Ghana's defense strategy at a critical time when jihadist spillover from the Sahel posed growing concerns, though Ghana has so far avoided the extremist violence affecting neighboring Togo and Benin.
Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed was leading efforts to combat illegal gold mining that has contaminated water sources and destroyed farmlands across Ghana. The informal mining sector, locally known as "galamsey," represents one of Ghana's most pressing environmental challenges.
President Mahama declared the incident a "national tragedy," with flags ordered to fly at half-mast. This marks Ghana's worst air disaster in over a decade, since a 2014 helicopter crash off the coast killed three people. An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.
