Ghana helicopter crash kills two ministers and six others

On 6 August 2025 a Ghana Air Force Z‑9 helicopter crashed near Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region while en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme, a government initiative to combat illegal mining (galamsey). The accident killed two cabinet ministers – former Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed – as well as Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, NDC First Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, and three crew members (Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum‑Ampadu, Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah). Flags were lowered to half‑mast, state funerals were held, and the nation entered a period of mourning. A year later, activists and officials reflect on the tragedy’s impact on the anti‑galamsey campaign, urging the responsible mining programme to move forward despite the loss.