A devastating military helicopter crash in Ghana’s Ashanti region claimed the lives of all eight passengers on board, including Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. The tragedy, described as a “national tragedy” by the government, also killed the vice-chair of the ruling National Democratic Congress, a senior national security adviser, and crew members, plunging the West African nation into mourning.

The Z-9 helicopter, commonly used for transport and medical evacuations, took off from Accra on Wednesday morning, heading northwest toward the gold-mining hub of Obuasi. It vanished from radar shortly after, with wreckage later discovered in the Adansi area of Ashanti. Videos circulating online show burning debris scattered in a forested area, with local residents attempting to assist amidst the chaos. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and the Ghanaian military has launched a full investigation to determine the circumstances.

Grief-stricken mourners gathered at Boamah’s residence and the National Democratic Congress headquarters, reflecting the profound impact of the loss on the nation. President John Dramani Mahama expressed condolences, calling the incident a “devastating blow” to Ghana’s leadership. The crash marks one of Ghana’s deadliest air disasters in over a decade, following a 2014 service helicopter crash that killed three and a 2012 cargo plane accident in Accra that claimed 10 lives. As investigations continue, questions loom about the safety of military aviation and the impact of losing key government figures.

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