All eight individuals aboard a Ghana Air Force helicopter that crashed Wednesday morning in the Sikaman Brofoyedu in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region have been confirmed dead.
The aircraft, a Z9 utility helicopter commonly used for transport and medical evacuations, took off from Accra at 9:12 a.m. bound for Obuasi. On board were three crew members and five passengers. According to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), radar contact was lost shortly after takeoff.
By 2:30 p.m., Chief of Staff Julius Debrah addressed the press at the presidency, officially announcing the names of the deceased. The list included high-profile government officials and senior military personnel.
“The government regrets to announce the demise of the following persons in the tragic crash: Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Mr Samuel Aboagye, a former Parliamentary candidate,” he stated.
He continued, “The others are Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Amaning Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.”
Samuel Sarpong previously served as the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive during the administration of President J.E.A. Mills, later assuming the roles of Ashanti and Central Regional Minister. Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, aside from his ministerial duties, also represented Tamale Central in Parliament.
Authorities have yet to disclose the exact location where the helicopter was last tracked. A government press briefing is available below, providing further updates on the situation.
