Accra: Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, tragically died alongside seven other state officials in a military helicopter crash on August 6, 2025. The delegation was en route to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region to launch the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), an initiative aimed at reforming Ghana's small-scale mining sector.
According to Ghana News Agency, tributes have poured in from Ghana, across Africa, and the global environmental community for Dr Murtala Muhammed, who was renowned for his dedication to clean air, environmental justice, and sustainable development. The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) praised Dr Muhammed as 'a tireless advocate for clean air' and acknowledged his pivotal role in advancing Ghana's leadership within the Africa Clean Air Programme.
Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, highlighted Dr Muhammed's deep respect among environmental leaders both in Africa and globally, noting his recent election to the Bureau of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN). Similarly, Pure Earth Ghana lauded him as 'a strong advocate for environmental health,' specifically recognizing his efforts in combating lead and mercury pollution.
A Rocha Ghana, through Mr. Daryle Bonsu, referred to the helicopter crash as 'a national tragedy' and urged for renewed efforts in the fight against illegal mining. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emphasized Dr Murtala Muhammed's profound intellect, conviction, and vision, particularly in climate change adaptation, plastic waste reduction, biodiversity conservation, and responsible resource management. The EPA also highlighted his initiatives like 'One Child, One Tree' and his proactive engagement with community stakeholders.
The EPA's statement acknowledged the contributions of Dr Edward Omane Boamah, a former Minister for Environment, to Ghana's environmental governance, indicating that both he and Dr Muhammed were among the eight victims of the crash, which occurred at Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofuom District. The agency expressed a commitment to honoring Dr Muhammed's memory by continuing to pursue the environmental goals he championed.
A state funeral for Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed is scheduled for August 15, 2025, at Black Star Square in Accra.
