Ghana is in mourning following the tragic death of eight people, including two senior government ministers, in a Ghana Air Force helicopter crash on Wednesday.

The victims include the Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.

The helicopter, which was en route from Accra to Obuasi, lost radar contact shortly after takeoff at approximately 9:00 a.m., according to a statement released by the Ghana Armed Forces.

Authorities later confirmed that all eight occupants three crew members and five passengers were killed in the crash.

Among the other victims were Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Agriculture, and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

President John Mahama’s office expressed profound sorrow over the incident.

In a statement, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah said the government was “deeply saddened by the loss of dedicated public servants and military personnel who died in the line of duty.”

The fatal crash comes amid rising security concerns in northern Ghana, where instability in neighbouring Burkina