Ghana grieves as ministers killed in tragic helicopter crash
President John Mahama joined relatives, government officials, and citizens in mourning the deaths of two ministers and six others who died in a military helicopter crash on Thursday, August 7.
At a memorial service held in Accra, Mahama laid flowers beneath a billboard bearing photos of the victims. The crash claimed the lives of Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six others as they travelled from Accra to Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining event.
The Z9 helicopter went down in dense forest in the Ashanti Region. All eight on board, five passengers and three crew members, were killed.
“This gentleman passed away because we are going to perform a national assignment, and this was their untimely death,” said Samson Asaki Awingobit, National Chairman of the People’s National Convention. “I want the country to use this opportunity to totally eradicate, eliminate galamsey.”
Professor Ransford Gyampo, CEO of the Ghana Shippers Authority, expressed disbelief. “Until I see their mortal remains well dressed and placed in their caskets, I’m still thinking that maybe they got lost in the forest.”
The government has declared three days of national mourning. Flags are flying at half-mast across the country.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
