Authorities Release Names of Ghana Helicopter Crash Victims

Ghana has been plunged into national mourning following the tragic crash of a military Z-9 helicopter on Wednesday morning, which claimed the lives of eight individuals — including high-ranking government officials and military personnel.

The helicopter, operated by the Ghana Armed Forces, departed Accra on a flight bound for Obuasi, a southern mining town, for an official assignment. However, it lost communication shortly after takeoff and was later found to have crashed, leaving no survivors.

In an official statement shared via its X (formerly Twitter) account, the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed the fatalities and released the names of those who perished in the accident. The victims include senior government officials and military officers:

Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence

Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed – Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology

Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture

Samuel Sarpong – Vice-Chairman, National Democratic Congress

Samuel Aboagye – Former Parliamentary Candidate

Peter Baafemi Anala – Squadron Leader

Ernest Addo – Sergeant

President John Mahama, visibly shaken by the tragedy, described the crash as a profound national loss. He immediately suspended all official activities upon receiving the news and ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the fallen.

“This is not just a loss for their families or the institutions they served — it is a loss for all of Ghana,” the President stated, calling for unity in grief and remembrance.

The Z-9 helicopter, commonly used for military transport and evacuations, was on an undisclosed official mission at the time of the crash. An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway.

As the nation grapples with this painful event, tributes have poured in from across the political spectrum and the general public, honouring the service and sacrifice of those who died in the line of duty.