By Godfred Polkuu – August 7, 2025
The Upper East Regional Co-ordinating Council (UERCC) has described the sudden deaths of two cabinet Ministers and six other officials as colossal loss to the government and people of Ghana.
The UERCC in a signed statement by the Regional Minister, Mr Donatus Akamugri Atanga, said “The UERCC has received with deep sorrow and profound shock the news of the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight prominent government officials, including current and former Ministers of State of the Republic of Ghana.”
The statement said the event plunged the entire nation into mourning and left the families in indescribable pain.
“It is a colossal loss to the government and the people of Ghana.
“On behalf of the RCC, and indeed the Chiefs and people of the Upper East Region, we extend our sincerest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, friends and communities affected by this irreparable loss” the statement said.
The statement in solidarity and mourning with the entire nation, called on all residents of the region to remain calm, united and supportive of the affected families.
“Let us uphold them in our prayers and extend every form of comfort possible. May the souls of the departed, who died in line of duty and service, rest in perfect peace, and their families find strength and healing,” it said.
The victims are: Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Defense Minister, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture.
The rest are Mr Samuel Aboagye, a former NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East, Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC and former Ashanti Regional Minister, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The victims were on board a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 military helicopter en route to Obuasi to attend an anti-illegal mining event known as the Responsible Co-operative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP).
The helicopter went off the radar after take-off from Accra, and crashed on Wednesday morning in the Adansi-Akrofuom area in the Ashanti Region.
Mr Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff, who announced their deaths at a press conference at the Presidency, directed that all flags be flown at half-mast.
