An emergency press conference began at the Jubilee House in response to a missing Ghana Air Force Z9 utility helicopter.

The aircraft, carrying eight people, including three crew members and five passengers, departed Accra at 09:12 GMT bound for Obuasi, but lost radar contact shortly afterward.

According to the official release, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has launched search and rescue operations and is working around the clock to re-establish communication.

The government subsequently confirmed 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.

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, subsequently announced the tragic news and directed that all national flags be flown at half-mast in honour of the victims. He also extended the government’s condolences to the bereaved families and the nation.

Other victims include Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former Member of Parliament; and Samuel Sarpong, a Vice Chairman of the NDC.