8 Including 2 Ministers Killed as Military Helicopter Crashes in Ghana
- On Wednesday, August 6, a military chopper carrying eight people crashed in the southern Ashanti region
- President John Mahama's chief of staff issued a statement listing the names of people killed in the crash
- The military leadership said the aircraft was carrying senior government officials, who were headed for a national event
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Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Ghana - Several senior government officials have been confirmed dead following a tragic helicopter accident in the southern Ashanti region.
Source: Twitter
In a statement on Wednesday, August 6, Julius Debrah, chief of staff to President John Mahama, said eight people perished in the crash.
Did Edward Omane Boamah die in the chopper crash?
According to the Ghana Armed Forces, the aircraft was carrying three crew and five passengers, who were headed for a national event at the time of the accident.
"The Ghana Armed Forces helicopter that took off this morning at 01912hrs from Accra en route to Obuasi has crashed in the general area of Sikama near Adansi Abkrofuom in the Ashanti Region, and all onboard are feared dead. The Ghana Armed Forces extends its condolences to the bereaved families. Investigations have commenced to determine the cause of the accident," the Ghana Defence Force said.
BBC reported that the military helicopter took off Wednesday morning from the capital, Accra, toward Obuasi, a gold-mining area in the Ashanti region, but went off the radar moments later.
Speaking to the press, Debrah disclosed that Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among those killed in the crash.
Who died in Ghana's helicopter crash?
President Mahama extended his condolence message to the affected families as he ordered for immediate investigations to establish the cause of the accident, which has been described as a 'national tragedy
“The president and the government extend their condolences and solidarity to the families of our comrades and soldiers who fell in their service to the nation,” said Debrah as reported by CNN.
Others who died in the crash are Alhaji Mohammad Muniru Limuna, deputy national security coordinator and former minister of agriculture, and Samuel Sarpong, vice chairman of Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) party.
The crew who perished in the accident were Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Source: Facebook
African Union Commission chairperson Mahamoud Youssouf issued a statement conveying his heartfelt condolences to President Mahama, the government and people of Ghana, and the bereaved families of all those who lost their lives in this national tragedy.
He also expresses his solidarity with the Ghana Armed Forces and the ruling National Democratic Congress during this difficult time.
“The African Union stands in full solidarity with Ghana in mourning this profound loss. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace," Youssouf stated.
How many passengers were in Antonov An-24?
The accident comes less than a month after 49 people perished in a tragic plane accident in Russia's Far East on Thursday, July 24.
Russian aviation authorities said the accident involved an Antonov An-24 passenger plane operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines.
Regional Governor Vasily Orlov confirmed the crash, stating that official data indicates 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members were on board.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
