Adansi Akrofuom, Ashanti Region — August 6, 2025—Ghana has been thrown into national mourning following a devastating military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6.
The accident claimed the lives of several high-profile government and military officials.
Among the confirmed fatalities are:
• Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
• Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
• Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
• Samuel Aboagye, former Member of Parliament
• Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
Three crew members of the Ghana Armed Forces also perished in the crash:
• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
• Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu
• Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
Initial reports indicate that the victims were aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 military helicopter en route to Obuasi when the aircraft lost radar contact shortly after takeoff.
Emergency responders quickly mobilized to the crash site.
Grim images and video footage obtained captured the charred wreckage and remains at the crash scene.
However, authorities have yet to publish a full list of casualties and are continuing to identify the victims.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, reportedly cut short his participation in an anti-illegal mining campaign event to rush to the crash site upon receiving the tragic news.
In a preliminary statement, the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed the aircraft went missing shortly after takeoff and that search and recovery operations are ongoing. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
This latest tragedy comes just over a year after another military helicopter crash-landed near Bonsukrom in the Western Region on March 19, 2024.
Thankfully, that earlier incident resulted in no fatalities.
The nation awaits further updates as the government and military work to uncover the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking loss.
