Two Ministers feared dead in Ghana Air Force helicopter crash

Two Ministers feared dead in Ghana Air Force helicopter crash

By: Nii Ammui Fio | 2 mins read

Ghana is gripped by tension and uncertainty following reports that two government ministers are feared dead after a Ghana Air Force helicopter went off radar in the Ashanti Region.

The incident involves the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. Both were reportedly on board the military helicopter, which lost contact with air traffic control earlier today.

According to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the Z-9 aircraft took off from Accra at 9:12 a.m. en route to Obuasi with eight people on board—three crew members and five passengers. However, the aircraft disappeared from radar shortly after departure.

In a brief statement, the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed the situation:“All efforts are being made to establish contact.”

No official confirmation has been given regarding the condition of those on board, and the nation awaits further updates as investigations continue.

This tragic incident mirrors a similar episode that occurred last year. In that case, a Ghana Air Force helicopter carrying 14 individuals, including petroleum sector regulators, crash-landed in Bonsokrom in the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region.

Though alarming, all those onboard survived.“All passengers on board have been accounted for and there were no fatalities. However, they have been evacuated and are currently undergoing routine medical checkups,” the GAF said at the time. The crash site was later cordoned off by military personnel.

Profile: Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah

Dr. Omane Boamah was a prominent figure in Ghana’s public service landscape—combining medicine, public policy, and technology expertise. He trained at the University of Ghana Medical School and went on to pursue further studies at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Harvard University.

Known for his strategic thinking and policy insight, Dr. Boamah served as Minister for Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, where he led key initiatives such as Ghana’s 4G LTE (GOTA) network rollout for enhanced security communications and championed cybersecurity policies including Child Online Protection.

He also served as a civilian employee at the Ministry of Defence and was a respected advocate for both national and human security, often praised for his innovative and solutions-oriented leadership.

Further updates on the crash and the fate of those onboard are expected in the coming hours.