President John Dramani Mahama has declared three days of national mourning beginning Thursday, August 7, 2025, to honour the eight individuals who lost their lives in Wednesday’s military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Wednesday evening, shortly after confirmation of the deaths of two senior government ministers and six others. In addition to the national mourning period, the President has suspended all public engagements and official activities for the rest of the week.
The Office of the Chief of Staff has also directed that all national flags be flown at half-mast across the country until further notice, as the nation grapples with the magnitude of the tragedy.
The crash occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District and involved a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter that had been en route to Obuasi. On board were Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. Both were on an official assignment believed to be linked to efforts against illegal mining in the area.
Also on board were Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed the loss of three crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft lost radar contact mid-flight before being discovered crashed in a forested area. National security teams later recovered the bodies during a coordinated search and rescue operation.
The President’s declaration comes amid an outpouring of grief and tributes from across the political spectrum, civil society, religious groups, and international partners. The nation now enters a period of mourning as it reflects on the service and sacrifice of the fallen.
