GHANIAN Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammad have died in a tragic helicopter crash that killed eight people on board, according to Ghana’s government.
The Ghanaian Armed Forces reported that a Z9 air force helicopter heading towards Obuasi, a town northwest of the capital, had disappeared off its radar after taking off from its hangar in Accra just after 09:00 GMT. The statement said that five passengers and three air force crew members were on board.
“The President and the government extend their condolences and solidarity to the families of our comrades and soldiers who fell in their service to the nation,” said Julius Debrah, President John Mahama’s Chief of Staff, in a media briefing.
The African Union Commission (AUC) has sent its condolences to President Mahama and the people of Ghana. AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed solidarity with the Ghana Armed Forces and the ruling National Democratic Congress during this difficult time. “The African Union stands in full solidarity with Ghana in mourning this profound loss. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace,” he said.
Prior to his defence portfolio, Boamah was Ghana’s deputy environment minister and had a stint as the communications minister under President Mahama. Boamah’s office was currently dealing with volatile militant groups from the Sahel that are visible across Ghana’s northern border shared with Burkina Faso, and will be what Boamah’s replacement will face.
The country’s fight against militant insurgents increased this year, with observers noting an increase in arms trafficking and fighters using the region along the border as a rear base.
Also among the victims were deputy national security coordinator and former agriculture minister Alhaji Mohammad Muniru Limuna and Samuel Sarpong, vice chairman of the National Democratic Congress party.
Back in May, Boamah led a delegation to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, for an ECOWAS meeting with regional bloc representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, all of whom are currently ruled by military leaders from successful coups.
In May, Defence Minister Boamah led a delegation to Ouagadougou for an ECOWAS meeting with regional bloc representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Reuters reported that in Jul,y the President’s spokesperson mentioned that President Mahama had deployed additional soldiers to a northeastern region in Ghana where conflicts over chieftaincy have escalated into violence, with attacks even targeting schools.
