The Ghana Football Association has expressed its profound sorrow following the military helicopter crash that killed eight people, including a former deputy sports minister.
The football governing body extended condolences to President John Dramani Mahama, the Government of Ghana, and the families of those who perished in Wednesday’s tragedy in the Ashanti Region.
Among the victims was Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, who previously served as deputy sports minister before the National Democratic Congress lost power in 2016. His death has resonated particularly within Ghana’s sporting community, where he was remembered for his contributions to the sector.
The GFA also mourned Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, National Democratic Congress Vice-Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, and former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye.
The football association paid tribute to the three crew members who died: Squadron Leader Peter Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo.
“The GFA mourns the nation’s collective grief and pays tribute to the dedication and service of all these gallant men who perished in the line of duty,” the association stated in its official response.
The Executive Council and Ghana’s entire football community have joined the nation in mourning what the association described as an “immense loss.”
Dr Omane Boamah’s previous role in sports administration had seen him work closely with the GFA during his tenure as deputy sports minister, making his loss particularly poignant for the football fraternity.
The tribute from Ghana’s football governing body reflects the widespread impact of the tragedy across all sectors of Ghanaian society, with sporting, political, and military communities united in grief.
The helicopter had been travelling to Obuasi to launch a responsible mining programme when it crashed in a remote forested area, with investigations into the cause still ongoing.
Ghana continues to observe three days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast as the country comes to terms with the loss of senior government officials and military personnel.
