Prez Mahama declares three days of national mourning over helicopter crash

President John Dramani Mahama has declared three days of national mourning, beginning Thursday, August 7, 2025, in honour of the eight individuals who lost their lives in Wednesday’s tragic military helicopter crash.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 6, the President also announced the immediate suspension of all his scheduled activities and public engagements for the remainder of the week.

The Office of the Chief of Staff further directed that all national flags be flown at half-mast across the country until further notice, as Ghana comes to terms with the devastating loss.

The accident, which occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, claimed the lives of two high-profile government officials, Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.

Also among the deceased are Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Three crew members of the Ghana Armed Forces are Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, also died in the crash.

Preliminary reports indicate that the victims were aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi when the aircraft went off radar and was later found crashed in a forested area.

Search and rescue efforts led by national security operatives have retrieved bodies.

The declaration of national mourning comes as tributes continue to pour in from political leaders, civil society, religious groups, and international organisations in honour of the departed.

The nation remains in shock, with many calling the incident one of the darkest moments in recent history.