Remains of Ghana’s Defence Minister Boamah, Other Helicopter Crash Victims Arrive in Accra
Written by SpringnewsNG Media Limited August 7,2025
August 7, 2025 – Accra, Ghana — The remains of Ghana’s Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and seven others who tragically died in a military helicopter crash have been brought to Accra.
The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed in an official statement that all eight bodies were successfully recovered from the Z-9 military helicopter crash site in the Sikaman area, near Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region, and were flown to Accra on a Ghana Air Force Casa aircraft.
The victims’ remains were received at the Air Force Base in Accra on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, in a solemn ceremony attended by high-ranking government officials, including Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, military leaders, and mourners. The bodies have been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital for preservation ahead of burial preparations.
Among those who perished in the crash were:
- Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Defence Minister
- Ibrahim Murtala, Minister of Environment
- Muniru Mohammed, Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister
- Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
- Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
According to the Ghana Armed Forces, the helicopter had departed Accra at 09:12 am on Tuesday en route to Obuasi for an official engagement when it suddenly went off radar and later crashed.
In a statement, Captain Veronica Arhin, Acting Director General of Public Relations for the Ghana Navy, expressed appreciation to the people of Sikaman and security personnel for their swift support in the recovery operation.
“The Deputy Minister for Defence, Hon. Brogya Genfi, and the Military High Command extend their deepest condolences to the families in this difficult national tragedy,” the statement read.
Dr. Boamah, a trained medical doctor and respected public servant, previously served as Minister of Communications under President John Mahama and held the role of Deputy Environment Minister before that.
At the time of his death, Boamah was leading the Defence Ministry’s response to growing militant threats along Ghana’s northern border with Burkina Faso, and had recently led a diplomatic mission to Ouagadougou in May to strengthen cooperation with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, all now governed by military regimes.
Boamah was also preparing to launch his new book titled “A Peaceful Man in an African Democracy”, which profiles the life and legacy of former President John Atta Mills, who passed away in 2012.
This tragic incident marks one of Ghana’s worst military aviation disasters in recent history, drawing widespread mourning from citizens, political leaders, and the international community.
