In a deeply troubling development, a Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter en route from Accra to Obuasi has reportedly gone off radar at approximately 1:45 PM GMT on August 6, 2025.
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The aircraft, which was transporting three crew members and five passengers, including Ghana’s Minister for Defence and Environment, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Hon. Ibrahim Mutala Muhammed respectively, has raised alarm nationwide as authorities confirm the possibility of a crash.
Helicopter Disappears from Radar
The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed the Z-9 helicopter lost communication mid-flight, sparking immediate search and rescue operations across the suspected flight path. The last known location of the aircraft was recorded near Adansi Sikaman, a rural area close to Akrofrom in the Ashanti Region.
Military aviation authorities have intensified surveillance across forested and mountainous zones near the area, with air and ground teams deployed to trace the downed aircraft. Residents in surrounding communities have reported hearing a loud explosion shortly after 2 PM, which they initially mistook for thunder.
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Eyewitness Reports Spark Concern
Shocking accounts are already emerging from locals in Akrofrom, with one eyewitness claiming to have discovered a burnt human hand and a head in the bush where smoke was still rising hours after the incident. According to the witness, the debris was consistent with a crash followed by fire, suggesting the helicopter may have caught fire upon impact.
“I was going to my farm when I saw smoke. I moved closer and saw a burnt piece that looked like a human head… the place was smelling of fuel,” the resident told community journalists on the scene.
While these reports are unconfirmed by officials, they have added weight to the possibility of a tragic accident involving high-level government officials.
Minister Edward Omane Boamah Among Passengers
Multiple sources within government circles have confirmed that Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the current Minister for Defence and Environment, was one of the passengers onboard the missing aircraft. His presence on the helicopter has further elevated the urgency of the situation, with both the Presidency and Ghana Armed Forces closely monitoring the developments.
The Minister was reportedly on his way to attend a government-sanctioned environmental inspection near Obuasi, as part of a broader campaign against illegal mining and environmental degradation in the region.
Official Response from the Ghana Armed Forces
In a brief but urgent press release, the Public Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Armed Forces stated:
“At 1:45 PM GMT today, August 6, 2025, a Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter operating from Accra to Obuasi lost communication with air traffic control. The aircraft carried 8 individuals including senior government officials. Search and rescue operations are currently underway. Further details will be communicated as they emerge.”
President John Dramani Mahama is also said to be fully briefed and has reportedly ordered intensified surveillance using drones and satellite tracking to narrow down the crash site.
Social Media Panic and Public Reaction
The news has caused widespread panic across Ghana, especially on social media platforms, where #HelicopterCrash and #PrayForGAF are trending. Many Ghanaians have taken to Twitter and Facebook to express their shock, prayers, and concerns for the lives potentially lost in the incident.
Prominent civil society groups are also urging the government to increase aviation safety and review protocols related to VIP transport using military aircraft.
Crash Raises Questions on Air Safety
This incident, if confirmed as a crash, will add to Ghana’s growing concerns over air transport safety, especially concerning government personnel movement via military means. Aviation analysts are already demanding a transparent investigation to determine whether mechanical failure, weather conditions, or possible sabotage played a role.
Experts are calling for black box retrieval efforts, should the aircraft be located, to better understand the sequence of events that led to the disappearance.
As Ghana awaits official confirmation of the status of all passengers onboard, including Minister Omane Boamah, the nation holds its breath. The search continues in the dense terrains of Adansi Sikaman, with hope that survivors may still be found or that clarity will be brought to a deeply unsettling event.
The story is still developing, and the Ghana Armed Forces are expected to issue a full briefing as soon as their teams conclude field assessments.
Stay with us for further updates on this unfolding tragedy.
