The President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has extended heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Ghana following Wednesday’s tragic helicopter crash, which claimed the lives of eight people, including two ministers.
“I am deeply saddened by the helicopter crash that led to the loss of eight people, including Ghana’s Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. It is devastating news and a national tragedy,” Adesina said in a statement released shortly after the news of the crash broke.
He added: “At this time of national grief and mourning, my wife Grace and I, together with the African Development Bank’s staff, Management, and Boards of Directors, express our heartfelt condolences to President John Mahama, the bereaved families, and the entire Government and people of Ghana.”
“May God grant you and the affected families strength and comfort. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama and Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on Thursday, August 7, 2025, laid wreaths at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency in Accra, in honour of two Ministers and six others who died in the helicopter crash.
Other wreaths were laid by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah; Johnson Asiedu Nketia and Fifi Fiavi Kwetey on behalf of the NDC; Major General William Agyapong, Chief of the Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces; and Bernard Ahiafor, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
The eight persons who died were Defence Minister Edward Kofi Omane Boamah and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.
The others were Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr. Samuel Sarpong, First Vice-Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Ashanti Regional Minister; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and former Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
