An eyewitness who is yet to be identified has narrated his encounter with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) helicopter that went off radar today, Wednesday, August 7 at Adansi Akrofrom in the Ashanti Region.

Speaking to JoyNews on Wednesday, he revealed that he was on the farm with his siblings when they heard an unusual sound emanating from the helicopter flying overheard.

He added he suggested that they followed the helicopter to ascertain what was actually wrong after hearing it crash-land.

According to him, they called on some other persons to join in search of the helicopter, which took about two hours to be discovered. After two hours, the crashed helicopter was seen in an isolated land within the deep forest.

He revealed that everyone on board the helicopter was burnt, except for one individual who sustained minimal burns.

"My siblings and I were working on the farm around 9:30-10 in the morning, and we noticed a helicopter moving with an unusual sound. I suggested that my siblings and I follow up. Within 10 minutes, we heard the helicopter had crashed in the forest.

"I instructed my siblings to call for help from our neighbors. In less than 5 minutes, we got help from some motorists. For two hours, we couldn't trace the helicopter. We went searching until we located a plain land within the deep forest. That was when we discovered the helicopter broken with all persons in it burnt without recognition. We saw about five of them in the fire, and another was aside who wasn't really burnt," he added.

Meanwhile, the government is yet to reveal its findings as to the cause of the crash. However, the bodies of the individuals have been retrieved by a recue team.

On Wednesday, August 7, the Chief of Staff Julius Debrah confirmed the unfortunate demise of 8 individuals who have passed away following a tragic helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofrom in the Ashanti Region.

Engaging the general public, Julius Debrah revealed the identities of the deceased individuals after 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, was off the radar.

They are Minister for Defence, Dr Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who is the Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, 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.

The President and government have extended their condolences and sympathies to the family of the comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country.

All flags are to fly at half-mast until further notice, the Chief of Staff directed.

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 empowers him to merge his medical expertise with a deep understanding of financial planning and strategic analysis when solving 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, positions 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.

Profile of 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.