Accra: Wednesday’s helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region has sent shockwaves across Ghana, claiming the lives of two Cabinet Ministers and several other high-ranking officials and military personnel. The tragic incident has intensified focus on aviation safety standards within the country.
According to Ghana News Agency, preliminary investigations have begun to determine the cause of the crash, with initial eyewitness reports pointing to adverse weather conditions as a potential factor. The crash, which occurred on August 6, 2025, involved a military helicopter transporting a government delegation to Obuasi for an official assignment.
Among those who perished were Dr. Edward Kofi Boamah, Minister of Defence, and Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammad, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology. The delegation also included Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; and Mr. Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate. The Ghana Armed Forces reported the loss of three personnel: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
In response to the tragedy, the government declared a period of national mourning, with flags at half-mast across public institutions. President John Dramani Mahama has appointed acting ministers for the affected roles and has called for immediate investigations into the incident.
Ghana has a history of aviation tragedies, despite being considered relatively safe in the West African sub-region. Notable incidents include the 2012 crash of Allied Air Flight 111 at Kotoka International Airport, which resulted in 12 ground fatalities due to pilot error. Military aviation has also seen accidents, such as the 2000 Fokker F27 crash near Accra and the 1971 Avro 748 crash near the Ghana-Ivory Coast border.
While Ghana’s commercial aviation sector has seen improvements, isolated incidents involving military and chartered flights underscore the need for ongoing vigilance. In 2015, a Boeing 737 incident at Kotoka International Airport fortunately resulted in no casualties.
The recent crash has prompted national reflection and calls for transparency in the management of military and civilian aviation operations. The Ghana Armed Forces and Ministry of Transport are set to conduct a comprehensive investigation aimed at bolstering operational safety standards and preventing future tragedies.