By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
Ghana has been plunged into mourning following the confirmation of the deaths of three senior government officials in a tragic Ghana Air Force helicopter crash.
The Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, all lost their lives in the accident.
The fatal crash occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, August 6, when a military helicopter en route to Obuasi from Accra went down near Adansi Brofeyedu in the Ashanti Region. The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) confirmed that the aircraft took off from Accra at 9:12 a.m. with five passengers and three crew members on board.
In a statement, the GAF revealed that the helicopter crashed into a tree under yet-to-be-determined circumstances and was burnt beyond recognition, with no visible signs of survivors at the scene.
Announcing the tragic news at a press conference, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah described the incident as “a national tragedy of immense proportions.” He further announced that national flags will fly at half-mast across the country in honour of the departed statesmen until further notice.
The government says investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash.
As the nation grapples with the loss of these prominent public servants, tributes continue to pour in from leaders and citizens across the country, lauding their contributions to national development and public service.
Video credit: Channel one TV
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