One year on: The Adansi Akrofuom helicopter crash that shook Ghana

The Adansi Akrofuom helicopter crash occurred on August 6, 2025, near Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region, claiming the lives of two Cabinet ministers and six others. The victims included former Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, NDC First Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, and Deputy NADMO Director Samuel Aboagye. The three military crew members were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

The helicopter, a Ghana Air Force Z-9, departed Accra at 9:12 am and was en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), which aimed at tackling illegal mining and promoting sustainable practices. The crash occurred in the Dampia Range Forest Reserve near Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region. The tragedy, described as one of the deadliest aviation disasters, plunged the nation into mourning and prompted an outpouring of grief from citizens, political leaders, religious bodies, and the international community.