The Government of Ghana has confirmed the death of eight people, including two senior cabinet members, in a tragic military helicopter crash that occurred on Wednesday in the Ashanti Region.
The victims include Edward Boamah, Ghana’s Minister of Defence, and Ibrahim Mohammed, the Minister of Environment. Both were on board the Ghana Armed Forces’ Z-9 helicopter which lost contact while on a flight from Accra to Obuasi, a prominent gold-mining town in southern Ghana.
According to official sources, the aircraft was carrying five passengers and three crew members before it went down.
Confirmation of the crash and the identities of the deceased was made in a statement issued by Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff to President John Mahama.
“The president and government extend our condolences and sympathies to the families of our comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country,” the statement read.
President Mahama also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the victims.
Authorities say investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash. The incident has thrown the nation into mourning, especially as the loss includes high-ranking government officials serving in critical roles.
