Ghana is mourning a national tragedy after a military helicopter crash in the Ashanti region claimed the lives of Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment, Science, and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six others, government officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah announced at a press conference that the helicopter, carrying three crew members and five passengers, went off the radar shortly after taking off from Accra at 09:12 local time. The aircraft was en route to the gold-mining town of Obuasi for a national event.
Describing the incident as a “national tragedy,” Chief of Staff Debrah extended heartfelt condolences on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the Ghanaian government to the families of the deceased, as well as the servicemen who lost their lives in service to the nation.
The cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed by authorities, who are continuing investigations. In honor of the victims, the Chief of Staff has directed that Ghana’s flags be flown at half-mast across the country.
Further updates will follow.
