URGENT UPDATE: A devastating helicopter crash in Ghana has claimed the lives of eight people, including the country’s Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday morning as the helicopter departed from the capital, Accra, en route to Obuasi, a prominent gold-mining area in the Ashanti region.
The military reported that the helicopter, a Z-9 often used for transport and medical evacuation, lost radar contact shortly after takeoff. The cause of the crash remains unknown at this time. Among the deceased were the vice-chair of the National Democratic Congress and a top national security adviser, alongside several crew members.
The Ghanaian government has labeled the incident a “national tragedy,” marking it as one of the worst air disasters in the nation in over a decade. In May 2014, a service helicopter crashed off the coast, resulting in the deaths of at least three people, while a 2021 cargo plane crash led to the loss of at least ten lives when it collided with a bus in Accra.
This incident raises concerns about aviation safety in Ghana as the nation contends with threats from Islamist groups in the Sahel, which have been attempting to infiltrate regions like Burkina Faso and Mali.
As investigations begin, authorities are expected to provide updates on the cause of the crash and any further developments. This tragic event has not only taken the lives of prominent figures but has also left the nation mourning.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
