Ghana Chamber of Mines Pays Tribute to Omane-Boamah, Dr Murtala Mohammed and Six Others in Helicopter Crash
The Ghana Chamber of Mines has expressed “profound shock and deep sorrow” following the deaths of two cabinet ministers and six others in a helicopter crash that has plunged the West African nation into mourning.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Chamber honoured the memory of Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane-Boamah and Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, whose roles in combating illegal mining were described as “pivotal” to Ghana’s broader efforts to enhance security and environmental protection in the mining sector.
Also among the deceased were Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, a former Agriculture Minister and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chair of the opposition National Democratic Congress; Mr Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; and three military personnel—Squadron Leader Peter Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo.
The delegation had been en route to Obuasi for the official launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
“Their untimely demise represents a significant loss to Ghana. Each one of them was a committed public servant who made invaluable contributions to national development, paying the ultimate price in the line of duty,” the Chamber stated.
The incident is expected to raise questions around the security protocols for high-ranking government officials and could complicate the enforcement of anti-illegal mining measures, a politically sensitive issue in Ghana’s gold-rich regions.
The Chamber said it had worked “closely” with both ministers in recent years, particularly in initiatives aimed at curbing illegal mining, protecting water bodies, and enhancing the security of licensed mining concessions.
“Their leadership and collaboration were foundational to the multi-stakeholder approach adopted to mitigate the impacts of illegal mining,” the statement added, underlining the strategic implications of their loss to Ghana’s resource governance agenda.
The Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainable and responsible mining practices, adding that it “stands in solidarity with the bereaved families and the Government of Ghana.”
Ghana is Africa’s largest gold producer and the extractive sector remains central to government revenue and foreign exchange. The crash comes at a time of growing international interest in Ghana’s regulatory environment, especially amid global ESG (environmental, social, and governance) pressures on resource-rich countries.
