Two Ghanaian ministers along with six other persons have died in a military helicopter crash in the central Ashanti region, a government spokesperson says.
The two ministers were those of defence and environment.
Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah told a press conference that Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, 50, had been killed in the crash, describing the development as a “national tragedy”.
Similarly, Ghana’s Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed was also among the dead, along with Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress party.
The crew members were named as Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Earlier, the Ghana Armed Forces said the aircraft, which was carrying three crew and five passengers, had gone “off the radar”.
It had taken off from the capital, Accra, at 09:12 local time (and GMT) and was heading to the gold-mining town of Obuasi for a national event.
The authorities have not confirmed the cause of the crash.
The chief of staff while extending condolences to “the servicemen who died in service to the country,” on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama and the government, directed the country’s flags to fly at half mast.
…BBC
