All national flags will be flown at half-mast in honour of the late Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed and others who lost their lives today, Wednesday, August 7.

Addressing the nation, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, noted “The President and the government extend condolences to the families of our comrades who died in service to the country. All flags are to fly at half-mast until further notice,” he said.

Their death was confirmed after the deceased were aboard the helicopter traveling from Accra to Kumasi. The other persons include Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture; Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, former Parliamentary candidate; Squadron leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Mensah.

All the deceased were aboard the helicopter traveling from Accra to Kumasi. The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) earlier reported that its airforce helicopter. Z9 which took off this morning at 0912 hrs from Accra and headed for Obuasi, is currently off the radar.air force

"All efforts are being made to establish contact," the Ghana Armed Forces announced in a statement. Last year, a Ghana Air Force helicopter crash-landed in Bonsokrom, within the Ahanta West Municipality in the Western Region.

Eyewitnesses reported that the helicopter, which was reportedly carrying 14 individuals, including staff from the Petroleum sector regulators, landed in a bush near the Bonsokrom community.Despite the alarming nature of the incident, all personnel and crew onboard the aircraft were safe.

“All passengers on board have been accounted for and there were no fatalities. However, they have been evacuated and are currently undergoing routine medical checkups," the Ghana Armed Forces indicated in a statement. The crash site was cordoned off from public access by Air Force personnel.

Profile of the Environment Minister

Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed was a distinguished Ghanaian politician, educator, and public servant who played a significant role in shaping national policy and advocating for sustainable development.

Born on December 14, 1974, in the Northern Region of Ghana, he pursued his education at Tamale College of Education, the University of Ghana, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, earning a Master of Arts in Development Studies along with additional qualifications in international relations and development planning.

He began his political career as a Member of Parliament for the Nanton Constituency in 2013 and later represented the Tamale Central Constituency.

Over the years, he served as Deputy Minister for Information and Media Relations and Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry. In February 2025, he was appointed Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, a role in which he championed environmental sustainability and technological advancement.

Murtala Mohammed was known for his bold speeches, grassroots engagement, and commitment to public service. He was deeply religious, respected within both political and Islamic communities, and maintained a private family life as a married father of three.

Profile of Defense Minister

Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah is a prominent Ghanaian politician, medical doctor, and Health Policy Planning and Financing Analyst with a rich background in strategic negotiation, solution-oriented leadership, environmental security and ICT including cybersecurity.

He possesses a strong educational foundation from esteemed institutions, including the University of Ghana Medical School, the London School of Economics and Political Science, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Harvard University.

His diverse educational background enables him to integrate his medical expertise with a deep understanding of financial planning and strategic analysis when addressing complex challenges.

Dr. Omane Boamah has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership in various key roles. As Minister for Communications and Spokesperson for the President of Ghana, he championed several vital cybersecurity initiatives, including Child Online Protection, and led the rollout of the Government of Ghana's 4G LTE network (GOTA), which provides enhanced communication capabilities for security agencies.

As a former Civilian Employee of the Ministry of Defence, he has an unwavering commitment to national and human security. His innovative thinking and excellent negotiation skills, position him as a forward-thinking leader, ready to address the complexities of modern security challenges and an advocate for the institution's dignity and well-being of service women and men.