By: Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
An air of solemnity hangs heavy over Ghana as the nation grapples with the loss of eight lives, including two senior cabinet ministers, in a devastating military helicopter crash. This tragedy has not only plunged the country into a three-day period of national mourning but has also brought to light a series of chilling, last-minute changes that reportedly spared the lives of some of the nation’s most prominent leaders. The mood in the capital, Accra, is somber, with flags flying at half-mast and the usual bustling streets muted by a collective sense of loss.
The Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter took off from Accra on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, around 9:12 a.m. local time, and went down in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region while en route to Obuasi for an event to combat illegal mining, a practice known locally as “galamsey.” This has prompted a solemn reflection of not just what was lost, but of the immense scale of the catastrophe that was narrowly averted.
The Flight of Destiny and a Miraculous Escape
As the initial wave of grief subsides, the full weight of the loss is being felt across the West African country. This profound national sorrow is compounded by the emerging details of near-miraculous escapes that underscore a powerful and heartbreaking narrative of fate, duty, and destiny. The stories of those who were spared and those who tragically took their places have become a testament to how the small decisions of a day can forever alter a nation’s destiny forever. The solemnity of the national mourning, marked by flags at half-mast and public vigils, is a powerful visual of a country united in its grief.
What makes this tragedy particularly poignant are the accounts of fate and last-minute changes that spared the lives of top officials who were originally scheduled to be on the flight. This serves as a sobering reminder of the randomness of tragedy.
President’s Itinerary Diverges
President John Dramani Mahama’s itinerary was altered at the very last moment. While he was originally scheduled to be part of the delegation, a sudden decision to attend a prayer retreat at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region meant his path diverged from the ill-fated helicopter.
A source close to the Presidency, Nana Yaa Jantuah, confirmed this development, stating, “The president was originally supposed to go with them, but because of the prayer programme… he changed his itinerary.” This single, spontaneous change in plans became a life-saving deviation.
A taxi driver in Accra, Kwesi Amoah, voiced the national sentiment, telling reporters, “It is only God who saves. We are mourning those we lost, but we are also thanking God for saving our President. It is a miracle.”
Interior Minister Finds Lifeline
Perhaps the most dramatic account involves Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, who also narrowly escaped being on board the ill-fated helicopter. The Majority Chief Whip’s fate was intertwined with an unexpected request from Finance Minister, Dr. Ato Forson.
The Deputy Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Fuseini Donkor, revealed that Muntaka was originally the fifth passenger on the flight. However, Dr. Forson, insisting on an urgent meeting with the Ghana Immigration Service, pulled him from the passenger list. “But for our Finance Minister, Muntaka would have been on the helicopter,” Mr. Donkor recounted, highlighting the twist of fate.
“Muntaka was the fifth person on board with Dr. Omane Boamah; then Ato dragged him out. Ato said, ‘No, you can’t go because we have a meeting with the immigration guys, and I need you there.” This was a simple administrative dispute that saved a life.
CEO’s Missed Flight
A similar twist of fate befell the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi. Mr. Donkor also disclosed that Mr. Gyamfi was initially scheduled to be on the flight, but the helicopter’s capacity restricted the number of passengers.
“Sammy Gyamfi was also supposed to be on board… but the helicopter could only take five passengers,” he said. Tragically, the slot on the aircraft left vacant was filled by Dr. Samuel Sarpong, the NDC National Vice Chairman, who was not even aware of the program beforehand. His last-minute acceptance of a call to serve cost him his life. These last-minute alterations now stand as a testament to the random, almost cruel, nature of tragedy.
In a post on Facebook, Mr. Gyamfi questioned how such a “monumental tragedy” could have occurred, expressing deep confusion and heartbreak.
President Mahama Addresses a Grieving Nation
On Thursday, President Mahama broke his silence to deliver a solemn and emotional address to the nation from Jubilee House, describing the crash as a “deep personal loss.” He paid personal tribute to each of the eight victims, acknowledging their service and unwavering commitment to Ghana’s progress. While calling for national unity in a moment of shared grief, he assured citizens that the Ghana Armed Forces had initiated a full and transparent investigation into the crash.
“As we mourn, questions about the cause of this tragedy are natural and important,” he said, confirming that an investigative board of inquiry had been constituted and both the flight data and cockpit voice recorders had been retrieved. He urged Ghanaians to set aside political divisions, emphasizing that “This is not a time for division, speculation, or political point-scoring.”
A State Funeral and National Mourning
President Mahama also announced plans for a state funeral to honor the victims. “These fallen heroes gave their lives in service to the nation. We must honor their legacy with the dignity and respect they deserve,” the president stated. He revealed that the country would hold an Evening of Reflection and Memorial at the forecourt of the State House on Saturday, August 9, at 5 p.m. Additionally, he announced that Books of Condolence would be opened at multiple locations from Sunday, August 10, to Thursday, August 14, to allow the public to pay their respects
The Unfinished Journeys of the Fallen Heroes
These stories of survival make the tragedy of those who perished all the more heartbreaking. The crash claimed the lives of eight Ghanaians, including several senior government officials. Among them are the Minister of Defence, Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
The other deceased persons include Muniru Mohammed, acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East; and Dr. Sarpong.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) named the crew members as Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Ministers’ Lasting Legacies
Dr. Omane Boamah was more than a minister; he was a statesman dedicated to national security, a point underscored by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, which he chaired. He was a mentor to countless young military officers, and a devoted husband and father of two. His wife, in a tear-filled statement, recalled him as a man who “lived and breathed service, even in his final moments.”
His absence is not just a political void but a deep, personal chasm. Speaking on his passing, an opposition MP from the New Patriotic Party said, “Dr. Boamah was a tough but fair opponent in Parliament. His dedication to our nation’s security was never in doubt, and we have lost a true patriot.”
Similarly, Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, known affectionately as “Alhaji Murtala,” was a beacon of progress and a passionate voice for Ghana’s natural heritage. He was widely recognized for his tireless work to combat illegal mining, a practice known as “galamsey.”
A colleague noted that his “passion for the environment was infectious. He wouldn’t just talk about it; he would be out there, hands-on, confronting the illegal miners. We’ve lost our greatest champion.”
A friend, speaking at a vigil, described him as a man whose “laughter was infectious, and whose belief in our future was unshakable.” “Their families are devastated,” said a government spokesperson, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private grief. “We have lost two great minds who were dedicated to the service of this country.” Their stories of service and their contributions to Ghana’s development will undoubtedly be a central theme in the coming days of national reflection.
Other Victims Remembered
The pain is compounded by the stories of the others who perished, including Dr. Samuel Sarpong, who was a last-minute addition to the flight, and Sgt. Ernest Addo Mensah, a crew member whose haunting final message about forgiveness has been shared widely. The military crew who piloted the aircraft were not just flying a machine; they were carrying the nation’s hope, and they paid the ultimate price.
A tearful witness at the crash site, a farmer from a nearby village, described the scene as “a nightmare from which we cannot wake.” He saw the smoke, but could not reach them. “Their cries, they stopped too soon. I’ll never forget that sound.”
The national anguish was deeply felt in the delayed burial of the two Muslim victims, minister Murtala Muhammed and the pilot, who were held in accordance with Islamic rites, which call for prompt interment. The delay, a source of additional heartache for the families, was due to the charred state of the remains which made identification and a full military autopsy difficult, a tragic testament to the ferocity of the crash.
As the National Chief Imam’s spokesperson, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, explained, Islam permits flexibility in such complex situations to allow for expert procedures and to preserve the dignity of the deceased. This period of painful waiting for closure became a difficult testament to their public service.
“Every minute was an eternity of pain,” said a family member, “we just wanted to give them the dignity they deserved, but the state needed its time to mourn too. It was a difficult, painful wait for closure.”
A Fog of Uncertainty
While the official cause of the crash remains under military investigation, initial reports point toward challenging weather conditions. Ghana’s meteorological agency had forecasted unusually cold August weather with recent rains, leading to thick fog, particularly in forest areas near the crash site.
Local farmers reported dense morning fog as the helicopter flew overhead. This incident, the deadliest of three recent Ghana Air Force helicopter emergencies, raises serious questions about aviation safety protocols and weather-related risk assessment. The military has vowed to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation.
A former Air Commodore, speaking on the condition of anonymity, commented, “While weather can be a factor, the priority must be a full review of maintenance logs and pilot training. These are not old machines, and we need to know if all protocols were followed.” Until then, the air remains thick with grief and a somber reflection on the delicate balance between duty and destiny.
Nation Finds Unity in Grief
As Ghana grapples with the wreckage of this tragedy, the international community has joined in the sorrow. The African Union, in a statement from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, said that the continental body “stands in full solidarity with Ghana in mourning this profound loss, a reminder that the cost of public service can sometimes be the ultimate sacrifice.” The United Nations also extended its condolences, stating it “stands in solidarity with the people of Ghana during this difficult time of national mourning.”
This tragedy, while a national loss, is a reminder that in the face of such profound grief, a nation can find unity. The main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), released a statement expressing its deep sorrow and calling for national unity.
“In this moment of shared grief, we must put aside our political differences and stand as one nation,” the statement read, a sentiment echoed by countless Ghanaians on social media. This bi-partisan show of support, the condolences, the shared tears, all highlight a resilience and a common humanity that transcends political divides. It is on this foundation that Ghana will rebuild, remember its fallen heroes, and find its way forward through the fog of sorrow.
The Path Forward
In the wake of this loss, President Mahama has moved quickly to appoint acting ministers to the vacant portfolios. Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson will assume additional responsibility as Defence Minister, and Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah has been named acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology. The appointments provide an immediate stopgap, but they do little to fill the void left by the deceased. The nation now begins the difficult process of healing, mourning its dead, and grappling with the knowledge that a few simple changes in a morning’s schedule can forever alter the course of history.
