JoyNews crew has entered the Dampia Range Forest Reserve at Brofoyedru Sikaman, in the Adansi Asokwa Municipality of the Ashanti Region, where rescue teams have recovered the bodies of all eight people who perished in Wednesday’s military helicopter crash.

The aircraft was carrying a delegation of government officials scheduled to attend the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme, rCOMSDEP, a flagship initiative designed to transform Ghana's artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.

Deputy Security Coordinator for the Ashanti Region confirmed that "what you saw a while ago in those sacks are the remains of our senior officers who were involved in the crash this morning."

Among the deceased were Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, and other prominent figures.

• Read also: Eyewitness recounts search for burning helicopter in crash that killed Omane Boamah, 7 others

The deceased include Muniru Mohammed, acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former Member of Parliament; and Samuel Sarpong, a Vice Chairman of the NDC and a former Kumasi mayor.

The crew members who perished were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

Earlier at the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) in Obuasi, a somber moment unfolded when Lands Minister Armah Kofi Buah was informed of the tragic helicopter crash.

I was watching this live and this reaction got me really confused.
This is really heartbreaking pic.twitter.com/nQrrmKtGEC

— Tech Shifoo (@SeptembaDegree) August 6, 2025

Videos captured during the event show Ashanti Regional Minister Frank Amoakohene leaning in to break the news to Mr. Buah while they were seated at the high table.

The Lands Minister, upon hearing the information, was visibly shaken and momentarily overcome with emotion.

Ghanaians have flooded social media with tributes and messages of shock following the tragic deaths.