Ghana has been plunged into mourning following a tragic military helicopter crash in the Ashanti region that claimed the lives of eight people, including two government ministers.
The incident on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, has prompted the government to declare three days of national mourning and order flags to fly at half-mast until further notice.
The helicopter went down in the Adansi area, and the gravity of the loss was made clear during a press conference led by Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
Among the victims were the Minister of Defense, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, and the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
The tragedy also claimed the lives of Acting Deputy Coordinator of National Security Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Dr. Samuel Sarp-Donkor—Deputy Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)—and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate. Additionally, three Ghanaian Air Force crew members died: Squadron Leader Peter Baffour Anala, Flying Officer Martin Chum Ampedu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
In response, President John Dramani Mahama suspended all planned activities for the remainder of the week as a mark of respect. The Ghana Armed Forces Public Relations Department confirmed that the victims’ bodies were flown back to Accra aboard an Air Force CASA aircraft. They were received at the Accra Air Force Base by the Chief of Presidential Staff, Julius Debrah, alongside military officials and supporters. The remains have been taken to the 37 Military Hospital for burial arrangements.
The Armed Forces expressed gratitude to the residents of Sikaman, where the crash occurred, and to security personnel for their vital assistance in the recovery efforts. Meanwhile, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang led a delegation of senior government figures and NDC representatives to console the bereaved families. Separate teams were dispatched to Takoradi to meet the relatives of the missing aircrew.
This tragic event has shaken the nation, highlighting the risks faced by public servants and military personnel alike, while uniting Ghanaians in grief and solidarity.
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