Accra, Ghana – First Lady Lordina Mahama, alongside her children, has paid an emotional tribute to the victims of a tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight individuals, including Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. The solemn ceremony, marked by the laying of flowers, took place on Friday as the nation grapples with the loss of key figures in a disaster described by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah as a “national tragedy.”
The crash occurred on Wednesday, 7 August 2025, when a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 helicopter, carrying three crew members and five passengers, came down in a dense forest en route from Accra to Obuasi. The flight was part of an initiative to address illegal mining in the region. Authorities confirmed there were no survivors, with the eight bodies retrieved from the wreckage and transported to Accra, draped in the Ghanaian flag.
Photographs shared by GHOne Tv capture the First Lady and her family in moments of quiet reflection, their expressions reflecting the deep sorrow felt across the country. The images, stamped with the emblem of the Office of the President, underscore the official nature of the mourning process.
This incident marks the third major aviation mishap involving Ghanaian military helicopters in recent years, following emergency landings near Tamale Airport in 2020 and Bonsukrom in 2024. The Ghana Meteorological Agency had issued warnings of unusually cold weather and foggy conditions in forested areas, which may have contributed to the crash. Experts suggest that low visibility could have played a critical role, with a 2021 study in the Journal of Aerospace Safety indicating a 15% increased risk of accidents in such environments.
The loss of Minister Omane Boamah, a prominent figure in Ghana’s defence sector, and Minister Muhammed, aged 50, has sent shockwaves through the government and public. The Mental Health Authority has since condemned the circulation of graphic images from the crash site, citing potential psychological harm. Research from the American Psychological Association (2023) supports this concern, highlighting how exposure to such imagery can intensify grief, particularly in the wake of recent national tragedies, including a fatal road accident earlier this year.
As investigations continue, questions are being raised about the safety protocols of Ghana’s military aviation fleet. The government has pledged a thorough inquiry, with results expected to inform future policies. For now, the nation remains in mourning, with President John Mahama expected to address the public in the coming days.Big Stuff Media Ghana will continue to provide updates on this developing story. For more information, follow us on social media or visit bigstuffmediagh.com.Contact: news@bigstuffmediagh.com | Follow us@BigStuffMediaGH