A wave of grief has swept across Ghana following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of two senior government ministers – Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence, and Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology – alongside other top officials and crew members on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
The incident, which occurred near Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region, has provoked an outpouring of tributes from government officials, political leaders, and ordinary citizens alike, many of whom have expressed heartbreak over the loss of what has been described as a “gallant team of patriots.”
Among the earliest to react was Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, who took to social media with a sombre plea for restraint.
“Dear Fellow Citizens, I plead with you to show some restraint and decorum in these trying moments. Let us have respect for the families of the departed and stop spreading those unwholesome videos. These are very difficult moments for us all”
Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations
His message resonated widely across digital platforms, where many users echoed the call for dignity in national mourning.
The loss of Dr. Omane Boamah and Dr. Murtala Mohammed has struck at the heart of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC). According to the Minister of Education Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, the party and country have lost “exceptional public servants whose contributions can never be forgotten.”
Fisheries Minister Emelia Arthur, visibly shaken, recalled how she had seen Dr. Murtala Mohammed just two days before the crash. “My comrade brother!!! We were together just two days ago… fare thee well,” she wrote.
In Tamale Central, the grief was palpable. Party supporters thronged the NDC constituency office in mourning, many weeping openly. Dr. Murtala Mohammed, who also served as the area’s Member of Parliament, was known for his fiery advocacy and strong grassroots presence.
A Nation In Grief
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, formally announced the deaths at a press conference on August 6 in Accra. Offering condolences on behalf of the President and government.
“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”
Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff
The Presidency has also directed that flags fly at half-mast for seven days to honour the departed.
The crash also claimed the lives of other key figures, including Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC and former Ashanti Regional Minister; Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; and Samuel Aboagye, a former Member of Parliament.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) confirmed that the helicopter, which had departed from Accra en route to Obuasi, lost radar contact before the crash. The three-man crew – Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah – were also confirmed dead.
Witnesses at the crash site reported that the helicopter was “burned beyond recognition,” with no signs of survivors. The military has since intensified its investigation into the cause of the crash.
Tributes Continue to Pour In
The Energy Minister Hon. John Abdulai Jinapor, along with several MPs, have described the deaths as a “devastating blow” to both Parliament and the country. Pru East MP Hon. Emmanuel Kwaku Boam noted the indelible impact of both ministers on national development, describing their deaths as a “dark hour for Ghana.”
Hon. John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South, also expressed solidarity with the President and the Ghana Armed Forces, offering “sincere condolences to bereaved families and the Government on this national tragedy.”
From Koforidua to Tamale, communities are in despair, with the family home of Dr. Omane Boamah becoming a focal point for party sympathizers and officials.
Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo added, “It’s a difficult moment for us all and my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.”
READ MORE: 40% Cedi Surge Leaves Diaspora Cash Flow in Freefall – Near 50% Dip in Remittances
