Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has announced that President John Dramani Mahama has directed all national flags to be flown at half-mast in honour of the late Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence, and Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed and others who died in the tragic GAF accident.
Dr Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, passed away in a helicopter crash.
The helicopter was carrying eight individuals, including three crew members and five passengers, among them the ministers, a presidential staffer identified as Samuel Sarpong, and the ministers’ security detail.
According to reports, all victims were tragically burnt beyond recognition.
The news was confirmed by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, in an address from the presidency.
Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, and Samuel Aboagye, a former Parliamentary Candidate, and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of NDC, have all been confirmed dead.
The crew members are Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
According to initial reports, the high-ranking government officials were aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi when the aircraft went off radar.
The cause of the crash is not yet known, and officials have yet to release full details.
In a brief statement, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) stated that a helicopter, identified as a Z-9, had reportedly gone off the radar after taking off on the morning of Wednesday, August 6, 2025. The aircraft was headed to Obuasi when contact was lost.
The tragic incident occurred on the morning of Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Matthew Baah, an Assembly Member for the Adansi Akrofuom area who was working on his farm when he was called, stated, “After the crash, everything went silent. Residents who rushed to the scene found the helicopter in flames”, he recounted.
“I have the unpleasant duty, sadly, to announce a national tragedy involving the crash of a military helicopter in the Adansi area in the Ashanti Region,” Mr. Debrah stated.
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah expressed the government’s deep sorrow and stated, “The President and the government extend condolences to the families of our comrades who died in service to the country. All flags are to fly at half-mast until further notice”.
Also, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has revealed that President John Mahama is devastated and heartbroken.
Speaking to JoyNews Haruna Iddrisu stated, “The President is down, down, down emotionally. We pray that God will give him the fortitude and the Ghanaian people the strength to accept this tragic loss.”
Watch the video below:
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah just made the official announcement; Omane Boamah, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed and Confirmed Dead in Military Helicopter Crash.
— Dr. George (@GeorgeAnagli) August 6, 2025
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