Former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of eight people, including two cabinet ministers, in the August 6 military helicopter crash.
Speaking on the Volunteers TV Show on Sunday, August 10, on Channel One TV with Stephen Kwaku Darku, Prof. Oquaye described the incident as a national calamity.
“At first, I just didn’t want to believe it, so I started asking for confirmation. Only for this to be confirmed. It’s a big blow to our nation. It’s a blow to all those in public service who have devoted their lives towards nation-building and national affairs, as well as our Armed Forces. Because this goes to the roots of our military, it is really a disaster of great proportions,” he said.
Two of the victims — Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator — were buried on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed that forensic reports for all eight victims, whose bodies were badly charred, have been received after DNA samples were analysed in South Africa.
The crash claimed the lives of eight people, including Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation former parliamentary candidate, Samuel Aboagye, and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman, Samuel Sarpong, and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator.
The crew members who perished were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The government declared a three-day national mourning period, which included a flower-laying ceremony from August 7 and a memorial service held on August 9.
A state funeral for the victims will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square in Accra.
Earlier on Wednesday, August 6, the Ghana Armed Forces reported that the Z-9 helicopter, carrying three crew members and five passengers, had gone “off the radar.”
The aircraft departed Accra at 09:12 local time (GMT) and was heading to Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining event. Its disappearance triggered an immediate search-and-rescue operation, which later confirmed that all eight people aboard had died.
….
Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp!
Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x
No spam, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital
![Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally [seated] -Photo credit Neil Turner / Lambeth Palace](https://www.citinewsroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ARCH-22-350x250.png)
