President John Dramani Mahama received the official investigative report into the tragic August 6, 2025, helicopter crash on Monday, November 10, during a closed-door session of the National Security Council (NSC) at the Presidency in Accra. The report, prepared by a special committee chaired by National Security Coordinator Abdul-Osman Razak, was officially presented by Acting Minister for Defence Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who also serves as Minister for Finance.
The committee was constituted shortly after the disaster to determine the cause of the incident and recommend preventive measures. Sources close to the NSC describe the findings as thorough, incorporating technical analyses, witness testimonies, and data from the recovered flight recorder. While specifics remain confidential until the public release, the document is anticipated to address potential factors such as mechanical issues, weather conditions, or operational protocols.
Ahead of the presentation, Minister for Government Communication Felix Kwakye Ofosu announced that the full findings will be disclosed during an official press briefing on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. “This transparency is essential for national healing and strengthening our aviation safety framework,” Ofosu stated in a broadcast address.
President Mahama, reflecting on the handover, expressed gratitude to the committee for their meticulous work and reiterated the government’s dedication to implementing any recommendations swiftly. The crash, which occurred amid Ghana’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining—a scourge devastating the nation’s environment and water resources—has left a profound void in public service.
The Crash: A Morning of Devastation
The incident occurred on a fog-shrouded morning, forever altering Ghana’s political landscape. At approximately 9:12 a.m., the Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9EH military helicopter (tail number GHF 631)—a versatile Chinese variant of the French Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, used for transport and reconnaissance—departed Kotoka International Airport in Accra. En route to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region for a high-level anti-illegal mining operation, the aircraft carried a delegation representing President Mahama, who had been scheduled to attend but was detained by a prior state commitment.
The helicopter lost radar contact shortly after takeoff, succumbing to the dense, misty terrain of the Adansi Akrofuom District. It crashed into a forested mountainside near Sikaman, erupting in flames and claiming all eight lives aboard. Rescue operations, led by the Ghana National Fire and Rescue Service and Ghana Armed Forces, recovered the smoldering wreckage and black box the following day. Due to the severity of the impact, DNA identification was conducted in South Africa, delaying burials.
The victims included:
- Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence: A physician and veteran politician, Boamah had previously served as Communications Minister during Mahama’s 2012–2017 administration. He played a pivotal role in securing Ghana’s northern borders against jihadist threats spilling over from Burkina Faso, where reports indicated recruitment of up to 300 young Ghanaians by extremist groups.
- Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology: Aged 50, Muhammed was a key figure in tackling galamsey (artisanal illegal mining), which has polluted rivers and deforested vast swathes of land. He was bound for UN discussions on plastic pollution in Geneva.
- Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister: A dedicated public servant focused on food security and rural development.
- Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
- Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and former parliamentary candidate.
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala (pilot), Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah (flight crew).
News of the crash spread rapidly, prompting Chief of Staff Julius Debrah to confirm the fatalities in a nationwide address, labeling it a “profound national loss.” President Mahama declared three days of national mourning starting August 7, suspending all official activities and calling for unity amid grief. Mourners flocked to the victims’ homes and NDC headquarters, with books of condolence opened across key institutions from August 10 to 14. An inter-denominational state funeral at Black Star Square on August 15 drew thousands, where Mahama eulogized: “Their service embodied Ghana’s resilient spirit; let this tragedy unite us in resolve.”
Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang and other officials visited bereaved families, while opposition leaders, including former President Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, extended condolences, emphasizing shared national sorrow.
Historical Context: Ghana’s Aviation Shadows
This disaster ranks among Ghana’s most devastating aerial tragedies in recent history, highlighting persistent challenges in military aviation amid West Africa’s treacherous weather and resource-strapped fleets. The Z-9EH, introduced for its multi-role capabilities, had logged reliable service, but regional experts point to underfunding, maintenance lapses, and pilot training as recurring vulnerabilities in sub-Saharan aviation.
Notable precedents include:
- May 2014: A Ghana Air Force helicopter ditched off the coast during a training exercise, killing three crew members.
- 2007: A military Mi-17 helicopter crashed while transporting the casket of former Defence Minister Lt. Gen. J.H. Smith, colliding with a pole and injuring mourners in a fiery landing.
These incidents echo broader Sahel concerns, where jihadist activities and environmental degradation demand frequent, high-risk flights.
The Probe: A Collaborative Quest for Answers
The investigation, launched on August 8, involved the Ghana Air Force, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and international partners including the US Air Force, ensuring rigorous forensic and technical scrutiny. Chaired by Razak, the committee analyzed the black box data by late October, amid growing public impatience.
Opposition voices amplified calls for disclosure. On October 27, Tolon MP Alhaji Habib Iddrisu petitioned Mahama under the Right to Information Act, citing the initial 30-day promise for results. Former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul urged swift release on social media to counter rampant speculation, including unverified claims of sabotage tied to mining lobbies or pilot error.
As Ghana grapples with economic pressures and border insecurities, the report’s release represents a litmus test for Mahama’s administration, now in its second year since the 2024 elections. Bereaved families, enduring prolonged uncertainty, seek not just answers but actionable change. “True tribute demands reform beyond rhetoric,” one Boamah relative shared anonymously.
The unveiling on November 11 may not mend shattered lives, but it offers a blueprint for safer skies and resilient governance. In loss, Ghana finds its enduring strength.