In a chilling twist to Wednesday’s tragic military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, it has emerged that Minister for the Interior Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak narrowly escaped death after being pulled from the doomed flight at the last minute by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
The startling revelation was made by Fuseini Donkor, Deputy Director-General of the National Service Authority, during a live interview on TV3’s New Day program on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
According to Donkor, the Interior Minister was originally scheduled to be the fifth passenger on the Ghana Air Force’s Z-9 helicopter, which went down in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region, killing all eight onboard, including three high-ranking military officers and five senior civilian officials.
“But for our Finance Minister, Muntaka would have been on the plane,” Donkor disclosed. “Ato said, ‘No, you can’t go because we have a meeting with the immigration guys, and I need you there.’ That’s how he [Muntaka] was pulled from the flight.”
Donkor further explained that following Muntaka’s withdrawal, the Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, was invited to take the vacant seat—a decision that ultimately led to his death.
“Murtala was not supposed to be on the flight,” Donkor stated. “He replaced Muntaka at the last moment.”
The crash, which occurred on Wednesday, August 6, has been described as one of the most devastating losses of government personnel in Ghana’s history. The deceased include:
Civilian Officials:
- Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence
- Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed – MP and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology
- Muniru Mohammed Lemunade – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture
- Dr. Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chair of the National Democratic Congress
- Mr. Samuel Aboagye – Former parliamentary candidate
Military Officers:
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafimi Anala
- Flying Officer Manim Twum Ampadu
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensa
In a somber national address, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah announced the tragedy and declared that all national flags be flown at half-mast until further notice in honor of the fallen.
“I have the unpleasant duty, sadly, to announce a national tragedy involving the crash of a military helicopter in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region,” Debrah said. “The President and government extend our condolences and sympathies to the families of our comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country.”
The Ghana National Fire Service has since launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. While official findings have not yet been disclosed, aviation and military experts are working to determine what led to the catastrophic failure of the Z-9 aircraft.
Click the link Puretvonline.com | WhatsApp Channel to join the WhatsApp channel
GOT A STORY?
Contact/WhatsApp: +233243201960 or Email: manuelnkansah33@gmail.com