Bad weather behind Ghana helicopter crash that killed ministers

A military helicopter crash that killed eight people in Ghana this August, including the defence and environment ministers, was caused by adverse weather and limited visibility, an investigation has ruled.

Reported by France 24 plus agencies on November 11, despite the helicopter being 12 years old, it was airworthy; however, it lacked safety features and faced gaps in aviation infrastructure, which contributed to the crash.

The incident also posed a leadership challenge for the government amid mounting public scrutiny.

Eight people were on board, three of whom were crew members and five were passengers. The military helicopter was travelling from the capital, Accra, towards the city of Obusai when it disappeared from radar around 9.00 am.

It had also been known that the Z-9 helicopter was often used for transport and medical evacuation.

Among the people deceased were Edward Omane Boamah, who was appointed defence minister earlier this year, and Ibrahim Murtala Muhammad, who oversaw the environment portfolio.

Also killed in the crash were Almaji Muniru Mohammed, who was the deputy national security coordinator, Samuel Sarpong, vice chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Samuel Aboagye, a former paramilitary candidate.

President John Mahama, in August, declared a three-day mourning period, and all flags to be flown at half staff, all office duties to be suspended, to pay respects to those who lost their lives.

The tragedy came amid a period of renewed political activism from Mahama. In July 2025, he had reiterated his call for reparations from countries involved in the transatlantic slave trade and the colonisation of Africa. He emphasised the urgent need to restore Africa’s dignity, describing the demand for reparations as a united appeal rooted in historical truth and moral responsibility. Following his statement, “Africa’s demand for reparative justice is no longer a mere murmur.”

According to AP news, the crash was one of Ghana’s worst air disasters in more than a decade.

France 24 plus agencies, AP News, Maghrebi.org