Top Ghana government officials among 8 killed in helicopter crash

Among the eight people killed after a military helicopter crashed in the southern Ashanti region today, Wednesday, were Ghana’s Defense and Environment ministers.

This was disclosed by the chief of staff to the Ghanian president.

According to a developing story, Defense Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed were two of the five passengers on board the helicopter, including three crew members.

Earlier today, Ghana’s Armed Forces said it had lost contact with a Z9 helicopter that was en route from the capital of Accra to Obuasi, a mining town in southern Ghana.

In a video statement, the chief of staff, Julius Debrah described the crash as a “national tragedy” while announcing that flags will fly half mast until further notice.

The three other passengers who lost their lives in the tragic incident were Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Ghana’s acting deputy national security coordinator, Samuel Sarpong, the vice chairman of the National Democratic Congress and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate.

The helicopter’s crew were named as squadron leader Peter Bafemi Anala, flying officer Malin Twum-Ampadu and Sgt. Ernest Addo Mensah.