Ghana is in mourning after a military helicopter crash killed eight people, including two important government ministers. The accident happened on Wednesday evening and is being called one of the worst air disasters in Ghana in more than 10 years.
The Defence Minister, Edward Omane Boamah, and Environment Minister, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, were among those who died. They were on their way from Accra, the capital city, to the Obuasi area in the northwest. Obuasi is known for its gold mines.
The helicopter lost contact with air traffic control shortly after entering the Ashanti region. The aircraft then disappeared from the radar. Hours later, search teams found the wreckage deep in a forest area.
A video shared online showed the burning remains of the helicopter. People from nearby areas rushed to the scene to help and search for survivors. Unfortunately, there were none.
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Also among the dead were Samuel Sarpong, the Vice-chair of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Muniru Mohammed, a top national security advisor. Four crew members also lost their lives.
The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed the crash and said that an investigation is now underway. The cause of the crash is still unknown. Military experts and aviation authorities are working together to find out what went wrong.
President Nana Akufo-Addo expressed deep sadness over the tragedy. In a statement, he said the nation had lost brave and dedicated leaders. He called for a national day of mourning to honor the victims.
People gathered outside the home of Defence Minister Boamah in Accra. Many were crying and praying. Others visited the NDC party headquarters to lay flowers and light candles in memory of the fallen officials.
The government called the incident a “national tragedy.” Flags were lowered to half-staff across the country. State media provided continuous coverage of the mourning events.
The helicopter involved was a Z-9 model, often used in Ghana for transportation and medical evacuations. It is usually considered a safe and reliable aircraft.
Witnesses near the crash site described hearing a loud noise before seeing smoke rise from the forest. “We thought it was thunder,” said Kwame Agyemang, a local farmer. “Then we saw flames and ran to help.”
Some experts believe weather could have played a role. Others think a technical failure might be to blame. But nothing is confirmed yet.
Ghana has a good record for aviation safety. The last major air accident was in 2014, when a helicopter crashed off the coast, killing three people. In 2012, a cargo plane overran a runway and crashed into a passenger bus, killing 10.
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority says the latest crash will be fully investigated. “We owe it to the victims and the nation to find answers,” said Director-General Charles Obeng.
Families of the victims are receiving support from the government. Counselors and medical teams have been sent to comfort the grieving relatives.
International messages of support have poured in. Leaders from Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya have sent condolences to Ghana and offered help with the investigation.
Social media is flooded with tributes. Many Ghanaians are sharing photos of the victims and expressing shock and sadness. The hashtag #GhanaMourns is trending.
One user wrote: “They served our country with honor. May they rest in peace.” Another posted: “This is too painful. We need to know what happened.”
The country now waits for answers. The crash has shaken the nation and reminded everyone of the risks that even leaders take in service to their country.
As the investigation continues, Ghana stands united in grief, and in memory of the eight souls lost too soon.
