Tragedy struck Ghana on Wednesday when a military helicopter crashed in the Ashanti region, killing all eight people on board, including two high-ranking government ministers.

 

Among the victims were Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. The crash has sent shockwaves through the country’s leadership and military.

 

Confirming the incident during a press briefing, Chief of Staff to President John Mahama, Julius Debrah, called the event a “national tragedy” and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those lost.

 

“This is a heartbreaking loss. The President and the government send deepest condolences to the families of our departed comrades and the Air Force personnel who died in active service,” Debrah said.

 

The ill-fated Z9 military helicopter, commonly used by the Ghana Air Force for transport and medical missions, lost radar contact shortly before going down. Onboard were three Air Force crew members and five passengers, including three other senior government officials whose identities have not yet been released.

 

Military and emergency teams have been dispatched to the crash site, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause. Preliminary information points to a possible technical malfunction or poor weather conditions as contributing factors.

 

As the country grapples with the devastating loss, the Ghanaian government has called for national prayers and declared a period of mourning in honour of the fallen leaders and service members.