Ghana is mourning the loss of two senior government officials following a deadly helicopter crash yesterday as the country’s defence and environment ministers were among eight people killed when a military chopper disappeared from radar. The aircraft was later found destroyed in a heavily forested area, with cellphone footage showing burning wreckage. Authorities confirmed there were no survivors on board.
The deceased include Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. Boamah had recently taken over the defence portfolio amid rising security concerns due to jihadist activity near Ghana’s northern border. Muhammed was overseeing efforts in science and technology, and reports suggest the delegation was en route to an event addressing illegal mining, a key environmental issue in the country.
The tragedy has shaken the Mahama administration, which extended condolences to the families of the victims and the military personnel who died in service. Boamah, a trained medical doctor, had previously held key roles in the government, including communication and environmental posts. His death comes as Ghana remains on high alert over regional instability spilling in from neighbouring Burkina Faso.
