Ghana Military Helicopter Crash (2025)

Ghana Military Helicopter Crash, is an aviation accident that occurred on 6 August 2025 in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A Z9 military helicopter, en route from Accra to Obuasi, lost radar contact shortly after takeoff and crashed in the Adansi Brofoyedu area. Eight people died in the crash. Among the deceased were Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Ibrahim Murtala Muhammad. The government has designated the incident a “national tragedy.” In the aftermath, a three-day national mourning period was declared.

^{Ghana Military Helicopter Crash, 6 August 2025 – (Anadolu Ajansı)}

On Wednesday morning 6 August 2025, a Z9 military helicopter belonging to the Ghana Armed Forces took off from Accra at 09:12 bound for the town of Obuasi. During the flight, the helicopter lost radar contact. It was later confirmed that the aircraft had crashed in the Adansi Brofoyedu area of the Ashanti Region.

The area where the crash occurred lies in south-central Ghana and is known for its mining activities. The helicopter was reported to have been flying to participate in an operation targeting illegal gold mining.

A total of eight people died in the crash: three crew members and five passengers. There were no survivors. The deceased are listed as follows:

• Edward Omane Boamah – Minister of Defence
• Ibrahim Murtala Muhammad – Minister for Environment, Science and Technology
• Alhaji Muniru Muhammad – Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister of Agriculture
• Samuel Sarpong – Deputy President of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) party
• Peter Bafemi Anala – Squadron Leader (officer on board)
• Manin Twum-Ampadu – Flying Officer (pilot)
• Ernest Addo Mensah – Sergeant (non-commissioned officer)
• The identity of the eighth victim has not been officially disclosed, but authorities confirmed that all bodies have been identified and transported to the capital, Accra.

Boamah, trained as a medical doctor, served as Minister of Communications in the Mahama administration from 2012 to 2017. He previously held the position of Deputy Minister for the Environment. As Minister of Defence, he implemented security policies in response to rising armed activity and jihadist movements near the Burkina Faso border. He pursued diplomatic initiatives to maintain relations with military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, and led a delegation to Ouagadougou in May 2025. Shortly before the crash, it was announced that his biography of former President John Atta Mills, titled A Peaceful Man in an African Democracy, would be published.

As Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Muhammad played an active role in the government’s campaign against illegal gold mining in Ghana, locally known as “Galamsey.” The environmental damage caused by these activities, including contamination of water sources, triggered widespread public protests, placing Muhammad at the forefront of environmental policy efforts during this period.

Alhaji Muniru Muhammad previously served as Ghana’s Minister of Agriculture before being appointed Deputy National Security Coordinator. Samuel Sarpong served as Deputy President of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.

The helicopter crew consisted of three members. Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala was the flight commander. Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu served as the pilot, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah provided technical support on board.

In the aftermath of the crash, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama cancelled all official engagements. The Presidency announced on Thursday 7 August 2025 a three-day national mourning period, during which flags across the country were ordered to be flown at half-mast.

Chief of the Defence Staff Julius Debrah described the incident as a “national tragedy” and extended condolences to the families of the deceased, government personnel and the Ghanaian people.

The Ghana Armed Forces stated that the Z9 military helicopter lost radar contact prior to the crash. No definitive cause has yet been established, and a comprehensive military investigation has been launched. No official findings have been released regarding whether the crash resulted from mechanical failure, external interference or adverse weather conditions.