By Wadza Botomani

Ghana is mourning the loss of two senior government officials, Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science, and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who were among eight people killed in a military helicopter crash earlier today. The tragic incident occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, where the aircraft burst into flames upon impact, leaving no survivors . 

The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that a Z9 helicopter, carrying three crew members and five passengers, lost radar contact shortly after takeoff from Accra at 9:12 AM local time. The flight was en route to Obuasi, a mining town, where the officials were scheduled to attend an anti-illegal mining program . Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft engulfed in flames after crashing into a tree, with the wreckage burning beyond recognition . 

In addition to the two ministers, the deceased include: 
– Dr. Muniru Mohammed Limuna– Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator 
– Samuel Sarpong– Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) 
– Samuel Aboagye– Former parliamentary candidate and NADMO Deputy Director-General 
– Three Air Force personnel: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah . 

President John Mahama’s Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, described the crash as a “national tragedy” and announced that flags would fly at half-mast indefinitely as a mark of respect . The government extended condolences to the families of the victims, praising their service to the nation . 

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, with preliminary reports suggesting poor weather conditions as a possible factor . The Ghana Armed Forces and emergency teams are working to recover the remains and analyze flight data .