The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is mourning the loss of Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, and seven other government officials, and military personnel who died in a helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.
Naval Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, Acting Director-General of the Public Relations Department of the GAF, told the Ghana News Agency in an exclusive interview that the tragedy had left personnel visibly shaken.
“In fact, it is the most tragic day within the Ghana Armed Forces. With my over 26 years’ experience, I’ve never seen something like this in the Armed Forces where you see personnel visibly shaken,” she said.
Naval Captain Arhin described the aftermath as extremely difficult for soldiers, emphasising the close-knit nature of the military.
“It’s a very, a very difficult time for the soldiers because the Armed Forces is like a family,” she said.
Naval Captain Arhin called the incident a national disaster and warned that recovery would take time.
“…It’s a national disaster and a tragedy that would take a long time for us to overcome. Apart from those who died in the crash, we have their wives. Some of them are also upset. Some of them live with us in the barracks. And so, it’s a very devastating blow to the Armed Forces,” she added.
Naval Captain Arhin criticised the manner in which some media outlets reported the incident, describing it as insensitive.
“We are disappointed at some of the major media houses and the way they have carried this particular incident. I am sure that we would have all loved that if any of the personnel on board were our relatives…we would have loved that somebody came to our house to inform us before seeing it in the media,” she said.
She condemned the circulation of graphic images and speculative reporting.
“Yes, they are trying to inform us, but the way it went was a bit disappointing, especially those who were showing charred bodies, others who were drawing their own conclusions and muddying the waters instead of we giving respect to the departed, which is a key cultural belief of Ghanaians irrespective of where we come from. We respect and we honour the dead, and that is what we had expected,” she added.
Naval Captain Arhin urged the public to show restraint in their discussions and media sharing.
“We appeal to the general public to be minded about the discussions and the yes, and the coverage. We also appeal to those sharing the videos of the charred bodies to please try and delete it. They should put themselves in the states of the family members of these people,” she said.
She called on all Ghanaians to treat the incident as a national loss and honour the memory of the deceased.
The Z-9 military helicopter crashed near Adansi Sikaman in the Ashanti Region while transporting five officials and the three Airforce crew members to Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining event, killing all on board
The victims included Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; and Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress.
The others were Mr. Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East; Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah