President John Dramani Mahama has been left visibly shaken by the military helicopter crash that killed eight people, including senior members of his administration, government officials said Wednesday.
The incident, described by cabinet members as one of the most devastating in recent memory, occurred on Wednesday, August 6, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of Ghana’s Ashanti Region. The victims were en route to Obuasi to launch a cooperative mining initiative when their Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter lost contact with air traffic control and later crashed.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, speaking to reporters, said the president was “emotionally down” following the loss of what he called key figures in national development efforts. “We pray that God gives him, and the Ghanaian people, the fortitude to accept this tragic loss,” Mr. Iddrisu said.
The crash claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, presidential staffer and NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East.
Also among the dead were three crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Emergency responders arrived at the crash site shortly after the aircraft went off radar, but all on board were confirmed dead.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has dispatched a high-level government delegation, led by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah and senior military officials, to offer official condolences to the bereaved families.8
President Mahama has also directed that all national flags be flown at half-staff until further notice in honor of those who perished.
