A government spokesperson says Ghana’s defense and environment ministers have died in a military helicopter crash in the middle Asanti area, as well as a government spokesman, along with six others.
Defense Minister Edward Omen Boma and Minister of Environment, Science and Technology Ibrahim Murtala Muhammad, 50, killed in an accident, described as “National Tragedy” by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah.
Earlier, the Ghana armed forces stated that the aircraft, which was carrying three crews and five passengers, had gone “away from the radar”.
It was taken away from the capital, Arakra on the local time (and GMT) at 09:12 and was going to the Obuasi city for an incident to deal with illegal mining.
Images that allegedly show the sacred remains of the helicopter are roaming on social media.
Officials have not confirmed the cause of the accident.
The Chief of Staff has directed the country’s flag to fly at half mast.
He expressed condolences on behalf of President John Dhani Mahama and the government to “death of soldiers who died in the service of the country”.
Ghana Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister Alhaji Muniru Mohammad was also among the dead, along with Samuel Sarpong, vice president of the Dansiveing National Democratic Congress Party.
The crew members were nominated as squadron leader Peter Babemi Enla, Flying Officer Manin Twam-Cum, and Sergeant Ernest Ado Mensa.
President Mahama was feeling “below, emotionally down”, Education Minister Haruna Idresu was told by the news agency AFP.
Boma served as the Minister of Communications under the previous government of Mahame and before that he was the Minister of Environment. As a defense minster, he faced jihadi activity which was running in the northern border in Burkina Faso.
In an African democracy about former President John Atta Mills, Boma’s book was a peaceful person, later in the year.
Muhammad was at the forefront of the fight against illegal gold mining, which has ruined the environment and contaminated rivers and lakes.
Protests against the practice, locally known as Galamsey, were at the peak during Mahama’s run for the presidency last year.
