Ghana Holds Wreath-laying Ceremony For Ministers, 6 Others Killed In Helicopter Crash

A solemn wreath-laying ceremony has been held in Accra, the capital of Ghana, in honor of Ghana’s Defence and Environment Ministers who died along with six others after a military helicopter they were traveling in crashed on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

The Ghanaian Presidency held the wreath-laying ceremony on Thursday, August 7, with top government officials including the country’s President, John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, in attendance.

In attendance also were families of the victims as well as the National Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, security officers and other government officials.

The crash claimed the lives of Ghana’s Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed; and six others.

The accident occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region. The victims were aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi when the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control and went off radar.

According to the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, the other deceased include:

• Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator

• Samuel Aboagye, former Parliamentary Candidate

• Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC

The crew members who also perished are:

• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala

• Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu

• Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah

The Ghana Armed Forces has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.

The wreath-laying ceremony held at the Ceremonial Gardens of the Jubilee House, the seat of government, formed part of a three-day national mourning declared by President Mahama to honour the eight persons killed in the crash.