By Alex Ababio
In a devastating turn of events, Ghana’s Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has died in a military helicopter crash that occurred Wednesday morning, August 6, 2025, in the Ashanti Regio
The aircraft, identified as a Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter, vanished from radar shortly after taking off from Accra en route to Obuasi at 9:12 a.m., according to an official statement from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
“All efforts are being made to establish contact,” the military said shortly after losing communication with the helicopter.
Government sources have also confirmed that the Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who was on board the same flight, has also perished.
A total of eight individuals were on the aircraft, including five high-level passengers and three aircrew members.
Eyewitness Accounts and Previous Crashes
Though details remain unclear, residents near the Adansi Sikaman area reported hearing a loud explosion followed by plumes of smoke rising above the treetops. “It sounded like a blast, and within seconds, black smoke started billowing from the forest area,” one eyewitness told The Independent Ghana.
The crash has shaken many, especially in light of a similar incident last year involving another Ghana Air Force helicopter that crash-landed in Bonsokrom in the Western Region. That aircraft, which was carrying 14 petroleum sector officials, managed a safe emergency landing in a bush area.
In that incident, “All passengers on board were accounted for and there were no fatalities,” the GAF noted. The area was immediately secured by Air Force personnel.
Remembering Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
Dr. Omane Boamah was not only a distinguished public servant but also a renowned medical doctor, policy strategist, and cybersecurity advocate.
Educated at the University of Ghana Medical School, the London School of Economics, and Harvard University, Dr. Boamah brought a unique blend of expertise in medicine, finance, and technology to Ghana’s policymaking table.
As Minister for Communications, he championed Child Online Protection, led the 4G LTE rollout for Ghana’s security services, and emphasized digital security as a cornerstone of national defense.
He was also a former civilian employee at the Ministry of Defence, where he developed a reputation for strategic thinking and fierce dedication to the welfare of service members.
“Dr. Boamah was a visionary leader who constantly pushed the boundaries of innovation in security and health,” a former colleague shared in tribute. “He believed in protecting both the nation and the people who defend it.”
National Mourning and Investigation Underway
Flags are expected to fly at half-mast as Ghana mourns the loss of two sitting ministers