Ghana defence minister among 8 killed in chopper crash

KABUL (Pajhwok): Eight individuals, including Ghana’s Defence Minister, have been killed in a military helicopter crash, media reports said on Thursday.

Ghana’s Defence Minister, Edward Omane Boamah, died in a military helicopter crash on Wednesday along with four other government officials and three Air Force crew members, Reuters reported, citing government sources.

Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff to President John Mahama, described the incident at a press conference as a national tragedy.

Among the victims were Boamah and the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.

Authorities have yet to provide an explanation for the cause of the crash.

Earlier, Ghana’s armed forces had reported that radar contact had been lost with a Z9 Air Force helicopter.

Boamah, a former Minister of Communications, was appointed as Defence Minister in January following President Mahama’s return to power.

His successor will inherit a complex security portfolio, which includes both domestic and external challenges.

hz/sa