### Tragic Loss: Ghanaian Ministers Perish in Helicopter Disaster

Ghana is mourning the tragic loss of Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, who perished in a helicopter crash in the Ashanti region. The incident occurred during a flight intended to address illegal mining issues.

In a devastating turn of events, two key Ghanaian ministers have lost their lives in a helicopter crash along with six other individuals. The Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were aboard a military Z9 helicopter that went down in a remote part of the Ashanti region as it flew from Accra to Obuasi for an urgent meeting on illegal mining.

The crash was deemed a “national tragedy” by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, and unfortunately, there were no survivors. The bodies of the eight victims were retrieved and returned to Accra, where a somber ceremony was held at the Air Force Base. The government has postponed burial plans for the Muslim victims until all bodies are positively identified.

Details about the cause of the accident remain unconfirmed, but preliminary reports from eyewitnesses note that weather conditions were poor, with thick fog reported in the area at the time. A farmer recalled seeing the helicopter flying unusually low before hearing a loud bang—a harbinger of the catastrophe that followed.

This incident marked the deadliest crash involving the Ghana Air Force in recent years, raising concerns about military aviation safety. Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has declared three days of national mourning, suspending official activities and ordering flags to fly at half-mast. The nation is in shock, coping with the tragic loss of its leaders. The deceased were noted for their dedication to service, with Omane Boamah previously working on counterterrorism initiatives and Muhammed leading efforts against environmental degradation caused by illegal mining.

Both ministers, along with the other casualties—including Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed and Samuel Sarpong from the National Democratic Congress—will be remembered for their impassioned commitments to their respective fields. President Mahama expressed deep sorrow over the incident, as the country grappled with the loss of its esteemed public servants.