The Presidency, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, hosted a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Ceremonial Gardens of Jubilee House to pay tribute to the eight individuals who lost their lives in Wednesday’s tragic military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
The event formed part of a three-day national mourning period declared by the government to honour the memory of the deceased, which includes two cabinet ministers—Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed—as well as senior military personnel and National Democratic Congress (NDC) party officials.
President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia, members of the Council of State, grieving family members, friends, security officers, and members of the public gathered at the ceremony to lay wreaths and express their condolences.
The national mourning period will continue through Saturday, August 9, and will conclude with an “Evening of Reflections and Memorials” at the Forecourt of the State House. State funeral and burial arrangements are expected to be announced soon.
The victims of the crash included:
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Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
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Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, and MP for Tamale Central
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Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
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Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate
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Dr. Samuel Sarpong, NDC National Vice Chairman
Also aboard the ill-fated Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter were three crew members:
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Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
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Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
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Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
The delegation was reportedly en route to Obuasi for an official assignment related to illegal mining activities when the aircraft went off radar and crashed.
Described as one of the darkest moments in recent Ghanaian history, the incident has prompted an outpouring of grief across the nation, with flags flying at half-mast and calls for deeper reflection on national service, sacrifice, and aviation safety.
