The Ghana Armed Forces has released the names of those who died aboard a Z-9 military helicopter that crashed on Wednesday.
The personnel were en route from Accra to Obuasi for an event when the incident occurred.
In a statement posted on the official X handle of the Ghana Armed Forces, the military expressed deep sorrow, saying, “Our hearts are heavy. You served our nation and the colonies gallantly.”
The full passenger list aboard the helicopter includes:
- Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence
- Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed – Minister for Environment, Science and Technology
- Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, and former Minister for Food and Agriculture
- Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman, National Democratic Congress (NDC)
- Samuel Aboagye – Former Parliamentary Candidate
- Peter Baafemi Anala – Squadron Leader
- Manaen Twum Ampadu – Flying Officer
- Ernest Addo – Sergeant
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Following the incident, Ghana has declared three days of national mourning as tributes have begun pouring in for the victims, who held key positions in government and security institutions.
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The Ghanaian Armed Forces had reported earlier Wednesday that an air force helicopter had fallen off radar after taking off from Accra just after 9:00 am local time (0900 GMT).
The statement had said that three crew and five passengers were aboard, without specifying at the time that the ministers were among them.
Television station Joy News broadcast cell phone footage from the crash scene showing smouldering wreckage amid a heavily forested area earlier in the day, before it was revealed that ministers Edward Omane Boamah and Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among the dead.
Boamah became President John Mahama’s defence minister earlier this year, shortly after Mahama’s swearing-in in January. Muhammed was serving as the minister of environment, science, and technology.
