What began as a routine flight from Accra ended in national sorrow, as eight individuals—including two high-ranking ministers—lost their lives in a catastrophic military helicopter crash on Wednesday in Ghana’s Ashanti Region.
The Ghana Air Force Z9 aircraft departed the capital at 9:12 a.m. with Obuasi as its destination. Not long after takeoff, the aircraft vanished from radar, prompting immediate concern from air traffic controllers and military officials. Hours later, the grim reality was confirmed—the chopper had gone down in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
Initial visuals from the crash site were harrowing, with wreckage charred and victims’ bodies reportedly burned beyond recognition. The site has since been cordoned off by emergency personnel as military investigators begin the difficult task of uncovering what caused the fatal accident.
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, later issued an official confirmation of the eight lives lost in the crash. The victims included a blend of seasoned politicians, security personnel, and Air Force officers. The full list is as follows:
-
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
-
Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment
-
Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
-
Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC
-
Mr. Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate
-
Squadron Leader Peter, pilot of the aircraft
-
Flying Officer Twum Ampadu
-
Sergeant Ernest Addo
The Ghana Armed Forces had earlier released a public statement when the aircraft went missing, indicating that communication with the flight had been lost and urgent efforts were being made to locate it. Unfortunately, those efforts ended in tragedy.
As the country comes to terms with the sudden loss of prominent figures, investigations are expected to delve into both technical and operational aspects surrounding the crash. Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in from all sectors of society as Ghanaians mourn a devastating blow to both the nation’s leadership and its military.
