A Ghanaian military helicopter crashed on Wednesday, killing Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and six other people, the government said. The loss of two cabinet members and senior aides is being described by officials as a “national tragedy.” The Chinese-built Z-9 aircraft left Accra at about 09:12 local time bound for the gold-mining hub of Obuasi in the Ashanti region. Radar contact was lost shortly after take-off, and wreckage was later located in the Adansi district. All five passengers and three air-force crew members on board died. Chief of Staff Julius Debrah announced that flags will fly at half-mast nationwide and that a formal inquiry has been opened. Authorities have yet to identify the cause of the crash. President John Mahama offered condolences to the victims’ families, while regional leaders, including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, sent messages of support. The deaths leave vacancies at the head of Ghana’s defence and environmental portfolios as the country grapples with security and climate-related challenges.