By Nadia Ntiamoah
A haunting video released by the Ministry of Defence has provided Ghanaians with the last recorded images of the late Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, just minutes before he boarded the Z-9 helicopter that crashed in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, killing all eight on board.
The footage, recorded at the Air Force Base in Accra, shows Dr Omane Boamah arriving shortly after 8:00 a.m., dressed in an immaculate all-white outfit, a choice of attire which has since taken on a symbolic weight for many mourning the loss.
The minister appeared calm and composed, exchanging pleasantries with military crew members as preparations for departure were finalised.
According to accounts from military sources, Dr Omane Boamah, moments before boarding, instructed his bodyguard and the Ministry’s official cameraman to remain behind because the helicopter could not accommodate additional passengers.
It was a decision that, upon hindsight, saved their lives.
After a brief handshake with the pilot and crew, the Defence Minister turned to wave a final goodbye — a gesture now frozen in the memory of those present.
The Z-9 helicopter departed Accra at 09:12 hours, heading towards Obuasi for an official launch of cooperative mining for small scale miners.
Less than an hour later, radar contact was lost, and the aircraft was reported down in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region.
The tragedy has triggered deep national mourning and a renewed conversation about the operational readiness of the military aircraft.
The Z-9 model, a Chinese-built helicopter variant, was introduced into the Ghana Armed Forces fleet in 2015 during the Mahama first term, largely for transport and light operational duties.
Aviation experts have pointed out that while the Z-9 is widely used, concerns have been raised in recent years about maintenance schedules and operational strain.
Dr Omane Boamah, a medical doctor by profession and a prominent figure in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), served as Minister of Communications before being appointed Defence Minister in January 2025.
Known for his soft-spoken yet firm approach to governance, he had been on an extensive tour of military installations in the months before his death, often advocating for better welfare and logistical support for the armed forces.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a joint investigative team — comprising Ghana Armed Forces aviation experts and independent crash investigators — has retrieved the helicopter’s black box to determine the cause of the crash.
Preliminary findings are expected in the coming weeks.
