Ghana’s Defence, Environment Ministers Killed in Military Helicopter Crash
Accra, Ghana — Ghana’s Ministers of Defence and Environment have died in a military helicopter crash in the central Ashanti Region, along with six others, government officials have confirmed. Chief of Staff Julius Debrah announced at a press conference that Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among the eight fatalities in what he described as a “national tragedy.” The Ghana Armed Forces said the helicopter, carrying three crew members and five passengers, went “off the radar” shortly after takeoff from Accra at 09:12 local time (GMT) on Wednesday. The aircraft was en route to Obuasi, a gold-mining town, for a national event when the crash occurred. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident. President John Dramani Mahama has ordered flags nationwide to be flown at half-mast in honour of the victims. On behalf of the president and government, the chief of staff extended condolences to the bereaved families and “the servicemen who died in service to the country.”