President John Dramani Mahama has announced the launch of a full and transparent investigation into a military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight individuals, including two senior cabinet ministers, in one of the country’s most serious aviation tragedies in recent years.
The crash, which occurred on August 6 in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, resulted in the deaths of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, among others. Speaking in a national address on Thursday, President Mahama called the deceased “gallant men” who had served the nation with distinction.
“As we mourn, questions about the cause of this tragedy are natural and important,” the president said. “I want to assure the families and the nation that the Ghana Armed Forces has initiated a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances of this crash.”
An Investigative Board of Inquiry has been formed to determine the cause of the accident. President Mahama confirmed that both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been recovered and are expected to assist in the inquiry.
The Ghana Armed Forces has retrieved the remains of all eight victims, and the government is working with families to assist in identification and funeral arrangements. No timeline has been given for the conclusion of the investigation.
“In this moment of national grief, let us remember that we are, above all, Ghanaians—united not just by nationality but by shared hope, shared humanity, and now, shared sorrow,” Mr. Mahama said. He urged citizens to set aside political and social differences during this period of mourning.
The crash has reverberated across the country, prompting widespread expressions of condolence from political leaders, institutions, and the public. Earlier Thursday, a flower-laying ceremony was held at the Ceremonial Gardens of Jubilee House, the presidential complex in Accra. In attendance were President Mahama, Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, senior government officials, military personnel, and relatives of the victims.
The eight individuals killed in the crash were:
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; MP for Tamale Central
Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
Dr. Samuel Sarpong, National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate
Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
As the nation awaits further details from the investigation, authorities have urged the public to refrain from speculation and allow the inquiry to proceed without interference.
