Tragic military helicopter crash being investigated by interagency – GNFS

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has revealed that it working with security agencies to investigate the tragic military helicopter crash.

Desmond Ackah, the GNFS Head of Public Relations, revealed that an investigation is underway to identify the cause of the crash.

Desmond Ackah explained, “For crashes of this nature, it does not just warrant the response of the GNFS alone. A lot of factors are involved.

We do interagency response, and we are heavily involved, especially with rescue, extrication, and any fire hazards”.

Dr Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, and Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, sadly passed away following 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.

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.

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.

The tragic incident occurred on the morning of Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

The news was confirmed by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, in an address from the presidency.

Also,  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.

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,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sabah Zita Benson, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, has said someone in the Ghana Armed Forces may have fiddled with the helicopter that crashed.

According to Sabah Zita Benson, the military is partisan, and the crash site must be preserved for an investigation to be conducted.

Reacting to the tragic incident, Zita Benson stated, This is really painful. It hurts so bad. The crash site must be preserved for investigation, just in case someone fiddled with the helicopter.

She added, “The military is partisan; an investigation must be conducted”.

In addition, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, on Wednesday night received the remains of the eight who died in the tragic military hospital.

Their bodies were received at the Air Force Base in Accra.

President John Mahama has also announced a three-day national mourning period.

On Wednesday, August 6, the President, in a statement, announced the immediate suspension of all his scheduled activities and public engagements for the remainder of the week.