Ghana Launches Investigation into Helicopter Crash that Killed Defence, Environment Ministers and Six Others

President John Mahama

August 8, 2025

Ghana has launched a full investigation into a military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of the country’s Defence Minister, Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six others, including senior political figures and members of the air force crew.

The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday when the air force chopper disappeared from radar shortly after departing Accra en route to Obuasi in southern Ghana. All eight bodies have since been recovered.

In a televised address on Thursday, President John Mahama announced that the Ghana Armed Forces had initiated a “full and transparent” investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. He confirmed that both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder had been retrieved, and a special board of enquiry had been set up to determine the cause.

President Mahama described the loss as “a moment of shared heartbreak” for the nation, saying, “We’ve lost some of our nation’s brightest minds.” He also declared three days of national mourning beginning Thursday, with all flags to be flown at half-mast, and suspended his scheduled activities for the rest of the week.

A state funeral for the victims will be held on August 15.