Accra (EFE). – Eight people, including two ministers, were killed Wednesday in a military helicopter crash in Ghana, said Chief of Staff Julius Debrah.
The crash occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom district, where the aircraft, a Chinese Z-9 military helicopter, crashed for unknown reasons.
Debrah said among the victims were the Minister of Defense, Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.
Also killed were Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, former Member of Parliament Samuel Aboagye, and Deputy Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Sarpong.
The Ghana Armed Forces had earlier confirmed that they were searching for the wreckage after losing contact with the aircraft shortly after it took off from Accra at 9:12 a.m. local time.
Debrah called the incident a “national tragedy” and announced that flags would be at half-staff in mourning.
The Chief of Staff conveyed the condolences of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama to the families of the deceased. EFE
ma/mcd