Ghana’s government has confirmed the deaths of its Defence Minister, Edward Omane Boamah, and Environment Minister, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, following a helicopter crash on Wednesday.
The military helicopter, which took off from Accra around 9:00 am, went off radar during a flight to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region. All eight people on board three crew members and five passengers died in the crash.
The Presidency, in a statement released hours later, said the ministers were among the victims. President John Mahama has cancelled all official activities for the day.
“The president and government extend our condolences and sympathies to the families of our comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country,” said Mahama’s Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah.
Also killed in the crash were Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister of Agriculture, and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress.
Boamah had only recently taken up the role of Defence Minister after Mahama returned to office in January. A trained medical doctor, he had previously served as Minister of Communications and held other roles in government.
His appointment came at a time when Ghana’s northern border with Burkina Faso has seen growing instability linked to jihadist activity. While Ghana has not suffered direct attacks like neighbours Togo and Benin, security analysts have warned of weapons trafficking and militant movement across the porous boundary.
Boamah had been active in regional diplomacy. In May, he led a delegation to Ouagadougou as Ghana sought to strengthen relations with military-led governments in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
He was also due to release a political memoir titled A Peaceful Man in an African Democracy, reflecting on the legacy of the late former president, John Atta Mills.
“The death of Dr Boamah is a major loss to our country,” said Debrah. “His leadership was critical at a time when our region is facing serious security challenges.”
Flags across Ghana are to fly at half-mast in honour of the victims.
