On August 6, 2025, Ghana was thrown into a state of national mourning when a military helicopter carrying top government officials and crew went off radar en route to Obuasi and tragically crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom district of the Ashanti Region, claiming eight lives.
In the days that followed, the government issued key directives and held major events to celebrate the memory of the ‘gallant 8.’ Presidential activities were suspended, three-day national mourning declared, amid a coordinated search, identification, and retrieval operation.
State institutions, political leaders, and citizens joined in a collective expression of grief through vigils, wreath-laying ceremonies, and solemn tributes across the country.
This feature recounts the key government directives and interventions that occurred in the week following the crash.
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
The Genesis
News of the crash first surfaced on social media when photos and videos of charred debris began circulating, suggesting a helicopter had crashed in a forested area of the Ashanti Region. Initial details were sketchy, sparking confusion and speculation online as some citizens shared unverified reports of the incident.
The incident soon drew national attention as the media interviewed eyewitnesses, and the names of government officials on board the ill-fated helicopter fueled growing anxiety across the country. (here, here, here).
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Ghana Armed Forces releases first statement
While posts online and some news websites reported that four people were feared dead (here, here, here), a statement issued by the Department of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) gave the following details:
- The helicopter was a Z9
- It had taken off from Accra at 09:12 hours en route to Obuasi
- It subsequently went off radar.
- The aircraft was carrying a total of eight people – three crew members and five passengers.
The statement shifted the nation’s concern from initial casualty figures to the grim reality that top government officials and military crew members were missing, heightening the sense of urgency and national alarm.
Government addresses the media, names victims:
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, at a press briefing at the presidency, confirmed the incident and also announced the names of the eight persons onboard as earlier referred to in the GAF statement:
- Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
- Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed
- Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Muniru Mohammed
- Samuel Aboagye, a former Member of Parliament and
- Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of NDC.
The crew members
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala,
- Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu and
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
At the briefing, the Chief of Staff also expressed the government’s condolences to the grieving families and ordered that all flags fly at half-mast until further notice.
Army opens investigation:
In a follow-up statement confirming the incident, the Ghana Armed Forces announced the launch of a full-scale investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The statement confirmed that specialised teams had been deployed to secure the wreckage and recover the remains of the victims from the crash site.
Bodies flown back to Accra after the search and rescue operation
The recovery operation team was led by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, with personnel from the Army, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and other emergency responders.
Along with members of the media, they journeyed to the crash site for the operation with crucial support from some community members.
The team worked to retrieve the remains of the victims and secure debris from the wreckage, with the bodies flown back to Accra under military escort, for identification and burial. They were received at the Air Force Base at Burma Camp and sent to the 37 Military Hospital for preservation.
President Mahama suspends activities for the week, declares three days of mourning:
President John Dramani Mahama suspended all his scheduled activities and programs for the rest of the week following the crash.
In a press statement issued by the President’s Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP), the government declared three days of national mourning beginning Thursday, August 7, 2025.
As part of the directive, all flags were to be flown at half-mast, and the public was urged to honour the memory of the victims who died while on national duty.
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Wreath-laying ceremony:
On Thursday, August 7, 2025, the Presidency hosted a wreath-laying ceremony at Jubilee House in honour of the crash victims.
The event brought together top government officials, the Military High Command, diplomats and family representatives, who laid wreaths in tribute to the departed with prayers offered for the souls of the deceased and tributes to their dedication to national service.
The ceremony marked the beginning of the three-day national mourning period declared by the government.
Forensic identification of victims:
As part of the identification process, the government announced that samples from the victims’ remains had been collected together with that of their families and flown to South Africa for DNA analysis. This step was deemed necessary due to the severity of burns, which made visual identification impossible.
The government assured the public that the process would be expedited to allow for proper burials, in accordance with cultural and religious rites, and to provide closure for the grieving families.
Black Box recovered
The investigation into the crash recorded a significant breakthrough with the recovery of the helicopter’s flight data recorder, commonly known as the black box.
The confirmation came from the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, who announced the development in a Facebook post.
The device, which contains critical flight information such as altitude, speed, engine performance, and cockpit communications, is expected to provide vital information to help aviation experts and military investigators determine the exact cause of the crash.
President Mahama addresses the nation for the first time:
Also on August 7, President John Dramani Mahama addressed the nation, announcing the suspension of all his official activities for the week and reiterating the three days of national mourning for the victims who had died in the line of duty.
He described the incident as a profound national loss, urging the nation to remain united in grief and prayer, paying tribute to the officials and military personnel who lost their lives while serving the country.
“In this moment of national grief, let us remember that we are, above all, Ghanaians – united not just by nationality but by shared hope, shared humanity, and now, shared sorrow. Let us set aside our differences and offer our collective compassion to the bereaved families.
“This is not a time for division, speculation, or political point-scoring. It is a time for strength, for empathy, and for the enduring Ghanaian spirit that still stands tall when all else fails. Let our words be of comfort, our actions be of kindness, and our unity be the tribute we offer to those whose lives have been lost,” the president said.
Friday, August 8, 2025
National vigils and mourning activities:
A candlelight vigil was held at the Takoradi Air Force Base to honour the memory of the victims. Service members, bereaved families and members of the public gathered in a solemn atmosphere, lighting candles and offering prayers for the departed.
The event served as a moment of collective grief and reflection, highlighting the deep sense of loss felt across the nation.
Saturday, August 9, 2025
National vigils and mourning activities:
An “Evening of Reflection and Memorial” was held at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra to pay tribute to the victims. The event brought together government officials, political leaders, clergy, diplomats and citizens in a ceremony that featured prayers, hymns, and heartfelt tributes.
It served as a national moment of unity and remembrance, reinforcing the collective resolve to honour the lives lost in service to the country.
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Burial of two Muslims:
On Sunday, August 10, 2025, the DNA results of the two Muslim victims were transmitted electronically ahead of the full forensic report to enable their burial according to Islamic tradition.
The arrangement ensured that religious customs were respected, even as the remaining DNA test results for the other victims arrived later in the day.
The two — Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and MP for Tamale Central, and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator — were laid to rest at the military cemetery after Janazah prayers led by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra.
They were buried at the Military Cemetery near Burma Camp, marking the first burials from the crash, awaiting the burial of the six other victims.
August 14, 2025
Opening of Books of Condolence
As part of the national mourning arrangements, a book of condolence was opened simultaneously at key locations, including the Ministries of Defence, Environment, Science and Technology, and Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) headquarters, and the head office of NADMO.
The signing period is from Sunday, August 10, to Thursday, August 14, 2025, allowing government officials, political leaders, diplomats, and citizens to pay their respects and share messages of sympathy with the families of the victims.
Conclusion
Wednesday, August 6, will go down in Ghana’s history as a day of profound national loss. The tragedy claimed eight lives, including some of the nation’s dedicated leaders and military personnel, plunging Ghana into a state of grief and reflection.
From government response and state-led investigations to the solemn vigils, prayers, and burials, the country looks ahead to the state funeral on Friday, August 15, 2025.
The memory of these individuals will remain etched in the national consciousness, not only for the circumstances of their passing but for their service to Ghana.
Written by Samuel Nii Adjetey
