Dare Babalola
Tragedy struck on Wednesday as Ghana’s defence and environment ministers were killed in a helicopter crash.
The Ghanaian presidency confirmed the death of the ministers hours after the armed forces reported a chopper carrying three crew and five passengers had disappeared from the radar.
Edward Omane Boamah became President John Mahama’s defence minister earlier this year shortly after Mahama’s swearing-in in January.
Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed was serving as the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology.
“The president and government extend our condolences and sympathies to the families of our comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country,” said Mahama’s chief of staff Julius Debrah.
All flags were to be flown at half-staff, Debrah said, while the presidency said Mahama had cancelled his official activities for the day.
Reacting, President Bola Tinubu extended heartfelt condolences to the President of Ghana, John Mahama, and the people of Ghana.
In a condolence message issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said the government and people of Nigeria stand in solidarity with Ghana during this moment of grief.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends his deepest condolences to President John Mahama, the government and people of Ghana following the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six others,” the statement read.
Also, former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, expressed grief over the tragic helicopter crash.
In a condolence message shared on his official X handle on Wednesday, Jonathan extended his sympathies to Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, and the people of the country.
He wrote, “I extend my deepest condolences to H.E @JDMahama, the Government and people of Ghana, and the bereaved families on the tragic incident of the military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Environment, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed and other distinguished officers and citizens.”
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, also mourned the deceased.
He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, the Government and people of Ghana, and the bereaved families of all those who lost their lives in this national tragedy.
He also expresses his solidarity with the Ghana Armed Forces and the ruling National Democratic Congress during this difficult time.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar commiserated with the Ghanaian government over the death of two nationals.
Atiku said, “My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the two Ghanaian cabinet ministers and six others who lost their lives in a fatal military helicopter crash in the Ashanti region of the country.”
