Ghana Armed Forces Helicopter Z9 Crashes Near Adansi Akrofuom, All Onboard Feared Dead

Tragedy struck Ghana on Wednesday morning as a Ghana Armed Forces helicopter, designated Z9, crashed near Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofuom area of the Ashanti Region. All eight individuals on board — including high-ranking government officials and military personnel — are feared dead.

According to an official statement from the Ghana Armed Forces, the helicopter took off from Accra at 09:12 AM en route to Obuasi. The ill-fated aircraft went down mid-morning in the forested area surrounding Sikaman.

Victims of the Crash

The crew of the aircraft has been identified as:

• Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala
• Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu
• Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah

The passengers included several prominent public figures:

• Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
• Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology
• Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
• Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
• Mr. Samuel Aboagye, Former NDC Parliamentary Candidate

In a statement issued by Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, Acting Director General of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces, the military expressed profound sorrow over the devastating loss and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

“The Ghana Armed Forces extends its condolences to the bereaved families. Investigations have commenced to determine the cause of the accident,” the statement read.

Investigation Underway

Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the crash. The area surrounding the crash site has been secured, and recovery efforts are ongoing.

The loss of Dr. Omane Boamah and Dr. Murtala Mohammed in particular marks a significant blow to the government, as both men played vital roles in the country’s defence and environmental policy frameworks.

National Mourning Declared

In light of the tragedy, President John Dramani Mahama is expected to declare a period of national mourning. The news has sent shockwaves across the country, with tributes pouring in from political leaders, civil society organizations, and international partners.

This incident marks one of the most devastating aviation disasters in recent Ghanaian history, both in terms of the high-profile nature of the victims and the impact on national leadership.

Ghanaians across the country are mourning as the nation awaits further details from the ongoing investigations.