Ghana declares national mourning after military helicopter crash kills two cabinet ministers

Ghana defence minister Edward Omane Boamah, Ghana, 6th August 2025
Reuters

Ghana is in mourning after a military helicopter crashed in the southern Ashanti region, killing two cabinet ministers and six others. The government called it a national tragedy and has launched an investigation into the cause.

The crash occurred on Wednesday when a military helicopter carrying senior government officials went down in Ghana’s southern Ashanti region. All eight people on board were killed, including the country’s ministers of defence and environment, along with other high-ranking personnel.

Officials said the victims were on official duty when the aircraft lost radar contact. The government confirmed that search operations led to the discovery of the wreckage hours later. No survivors were found.

In the wake of the tragedy, flags were lowered to half-staff across the country as part of a national mourning period. Tributes have poured in from political leaders, civil society groups, and international partners.

Authorities have opened an investigation into the cause of the crash, with military and aviation experts expected to lead the inquiry. The government has pledged full transparency and said preliminary findings will be made public.

The loss has shaken the nation, with many expressing sorrow over the deaths of public servants widely seen as key figures in Ghana’s national security and environmental policy sectors.

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