A Ghana Air Force helicopter crashed on Wednesday, August 6, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, killing all eight people on board, including two senior ministers.
The Z9 aircraft, which left Accra at 9:12 a.m. en route to Obuasi for a national assignment, lost radar contact shortly after takeoff and went down in flames.
Eyewitness footage, seen by First News correspondent showed the wreckage engulfed in fire, with at least four of the victims burnt beyond recognition.
In a statement signed by Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed the crash and said the helicopter was carrying three crew members and five passengers.
Among those killed were Ghana’s Defence Minister, Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
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Their deaths were confirmed by both the government and Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, who described the incident as a national tragedy.
The government has directed that flags be flown at half-mast.
Emergency responders were deployed to the crash site immediately.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, cut short an anti-illegal mining event to visit the scene.
Investigations have begun to determine the cause of the accident, which is still unknown.
This is Ghana’s second helicopter-related incident in two years, following a non-fatal crash-landing in Bonsukrom in March 2024.
Authorities have pledged to release further information as inquiries continue.