Top Ghanaian Ministers Lost in Tragic Helicopter Crash
Shock spread across Ghana on August 6, 2025, as news broke that a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9EH helicopter crashed in a remote forest near Obuasi, claiming the lives of all eight people on board. Among the dead are two central figures in the government: Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. Both men were respected for their hands-on approach, especially in tackling illegal mining, one of the country’s most critical challenges.
The ill-fated Z-9EH helicopter blipped off radar while en route from Accra to a high-level event targeting unlawful gold mining in the heart of the Ashanti region. It’s the sort of trip both ministers had made countless times before, but this one ended in disaster. Authorities found the wreckage smoldering in thick forest, with video footage later confirming there were no survivors.
These were not just regular passengers. Samuel Sarpong, who served as vice-chair of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a well-known face in local politics, died alongside national security advisor Muniru Mohammed. The helicopter also carried four air force crew: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, all experienced in flying government sorties. Their deaths are a heavy blow to the military and the state.
Aviation Disaster Rekindles Safety Concerns
The government quickly labelled this event a "national tragedy." Crowds of mourners came together at the homes of the deceased and the NDC headquarters in Accra. People recounted stories of each victim—how Boamah brought new energy to defence since his appointment earlier this year and how Muhammed had become a fierce champion for Ghana’s environment. Their mission was to show resolve in addressing illegal gold mining, which has scarred Ghana’s landscape and triggered violence in several communities.
The Harbin Z-9EH helicopter, which crashed, is a Chinese-made aircraft adapted for not just troop transport but also emergency medical evacuations. For the Ghana Armed Forces, it’s been a sturdy workhorse until now. There’s no immediate clue as to why the chopper, in service for less than a decade, suddenly lost contact and went down. An official investigation, combining aviation experts and military officials, has been launched but there’s no public insight yet into what went wrong—weather, mechanical failure, or something else.
This crash is Ghana’s deadliest aviation loss since a cargo plane disaster in 2012 killed ten people near Accra. The memory of a fatal 2014 helicopter crash, which claimed three more lives, is still fresh for many in the armed forces. Accidents like these always raise questions over safety standards and equipment reliability, especially as government officials often rely on air travel to reach hard-to-access regions.
Illegal mining isn’t just about environmental harm or lost revenue—it’s also risky business for anyone threatening these interests. The ministers were flying straight into the eye of this ongoing storm. Their deaths land at a time when state efforts against so-called "galamsey" mining have grown bolder and more public. Now, Ghanaians are left confronting a tragedy that underlines not just the dangers of the mining crisis but the real risks government officials face on the front lines.