The information gathered revealed that President John Dramani Mahama narrowly escaped the tragic military helicopter crash by attending an Assemblies of God 1st National Pastors and Spouses Prayer Retreat.
John Mahama was invited as a special guest of honour at the 1st National Pastors and Spouses Prayer Retreat, and was also expected to be at the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) in the Ashanti Region.
According to reports, the 1st National Pastors and Spouses Prayer Retreat was held at the Pentecost Convention Centre in Gomoa Fetteh, Central Region, and took place on the same day as the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme.
John Mahama was advertised on flyers and printed materials at the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) at Black Park, near the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium in the Ashanti Region.
The Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme is formed part of the government’s fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
President Mahama, however, chose to attend the Assemblies of God programme, delegating Dr Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister of Defence and Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Reports also suggest that the interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak, was supposed to attend the event but was pulled out of the helicopter by the Finance Minister Ato Forson for an urgent meeting scheduled with the Ghana Immigration Service.
Muntaka Mubarak was replaced by Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed to fill the spare seat on the military helicopter.
Additional information reveals Sammy Gyamfi, the Goldbod CEO, was also scheduled to be on the military helicopter to the event.
However, Dr Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, and Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, sadly passed away following a helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6.
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 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.
Meanwhile, 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.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, who spoke to the media following the announcement, revealed President John Mahama was devastated and heartbroken following the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of key government officials and servicemen.
Speaking to JoyNews, Haruna Iddrisu stated, “The tragic departure of our colleague in the service of our country, they were on their way to Obuasi to launch the cooperative mining initiative”.
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.”
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.
Also, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has revealed that it will be 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”.
See the post below:
The Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) will officially be launched tomorrow at Obuasi.
— Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (@ArmahKofiBuah) August 5, 2025
This innovative initiative promotes osustainable mining practices while empowering local communities through targeted skills development. pic.twitter.com/ax1WeJUbxF
This is the program that saved the life of President John Dramani Mahama.
— mynewsghdotcom (@mynewsghdotcom) August 6, 2025
The President chose to pray with AG than flying in the military helicopter Z9.#mynewsgh Helicopter | The NPP | Murtala Muhammed | Flying officer Twum Ampadu pic.twitter.com/1W4vf6jLl3