This Saturday on Newsfile, host Samson Lardy Anyenini and his panelists delved into one of the nation’s most painful recent tragedies, the deaths of eight individuals in a military helicopter crash that occurred on Wednesday, August 6, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.

Among the deceased are Ghana's Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Murtala Mohammed. Other victims include Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East; and Samuel Sarpong, a Vice Chairman of the NDC and a former Kumasi Mayor.

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Following the incident, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, announced the tragic news at a press conference and directed that all national flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the victims.

The crew members who perished were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah. The high-ranking officials were aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi on a national assignment when the aircraft lost contact with radar.

A specially deployed jet on Thursday departed Accra, Ghana, carrying the remains of the eight victims of Wednesday’s tragic military helicopter crash at Adansi in the Ashanti region. The remains of Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and the six others are being flown to South Africa for forensic examination to properly identify each victim.

This has become necessary due to the extreme burns the victims suffered, leaving many of them burned beyond recognition. DNA testing has been recommended to ensure accurate identification.

The tragic loss drew international attention from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Liberian President Joseph Boakai, Kenyan President William Ruto, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, with several world leaders sending messages of condolence to President John Mahama and the people of Ghana.

Within Ghana, a wide range of civil society organisations, faith-based institutions, and traditional authorities joined the national mourning.

Speaking at the Jubilee House on Thursday, August 7, President Mahama addressed the country for the first time since the tragic incident. President John Mahama assured the nation that the Ghana Armed Forces will undertake a full and transparent investigation into the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of several military personnel. 

The President expressed his deep sorrow over the loss and extended condolences to the families of the victims. While calling for national unity during the period of mourning, he acknowledged the public’s demand for answers.

The show explored how Ghana honours the memory of the eight fallen patriots, what went wrong, and whether this tragedy will prompt institutional reform.

The show also examined whether this heartbreaking event can draw the red line galvanising decisive action to finally end illegal mining, or galamsey. Another central focus will be the demand for a transparent inquiry into the crash, raising urgent questions about safety protocols, institutional responsibility, and long-overdue accountability within Ghana’s security and governance systems.

Newsfile aired live on the JoyNews channel on digital satellite channels 421 on DSTV and 144 on GoTV, and streams on JoyNews’ Facebook or YouTube channels on Saturdays from 9 am to noon.

Viewers can also follow the discussion by tuning in to Joy 99.7 FM or Luv 99.5 FM on the radio or stream the discussion live on either Google or Apple Podcasts.

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