2025 in retrospect: Helicopter crash, Asantehemaa’s death among major events in Ashanti Region
Undeniably, 2025 was an eventful year, with a mixed bag of tragic, historic and joyous events across the entire Ashanti Region.
The tragic events brought national pain and agony to not only residents in the region but Ghanaians in general, while the happy moments put smiles on the faces of the people.
The year commenced with the tragic death of eight persons while several others got injured after illegal miners clashed with a military detachment at one of the sites of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine.
The incident occurred in January when approximately 60 unauthorised individuals scaled the mine’s security fence at the Cote D’or Ramp, attempting to access the Deep Decline area.
On March 21, a devastating fire outbreak at the Adum Blue Light area led to the destruction of a three-storey building occupied by many traders. Dozens of shops with items running into millions of Ghana cedis were totally destroyed.
In the month of June, the region mourned the passing of the Mamponghene, Dasebre Osei Bonsu II. From June 7-9, 2025, his final funeral rites, popularly referred to as ‘Dote Yie’, were held, which were attended by many dignitaries, including the Asantehene and the President.
On July 28, another sad incident occurred when 16 children of the Saviour Church of Ghana in Obogu died in an accident on the Juaso-Nkawkaw stretch of the Accra-Kumasi highway.
They were returning from a religious retreat in Koforidua when they were involved in the tragic accident, leading to their death.
Subsequently, the children were given a mass burial, a development that attracted hundreds of mourners to the community.
National tragedy
On August 6, the region witnessed the shocking helicopter crash that occurred at Adansi-Brofoyedu in the Adansi-Akrofuom District in the Ashanti Region. Sadly, it claimed the lives of two ministers, top national security officials and two members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Among the casualties were the Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, and Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who were on the helicopter heading to Obuasi for a national assignment.
The others were the acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed; a first National Vice-Chairman, NDC, Dr Samuel Sarpong; and an NDC parliamentary candidate in the 2024 elections, Samuel Aboagye.
The rest were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, the pilot; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, co-pilot, and Sergeant Ernest Addo-Mensah, a crew member.
Following the demise, President John Dramani Mahama suspended all scheduled activities and programmes and declared three days of national mourning, as well as directed all flags to fly at half-mast.
On August 15, 2025, amidst profound sorrow and unwavering national unity, a state funeral was held for the eight distinguished and dedicated public servants and military officers who perished in the tragic helicopter crash.
Subsequently, a high-powered investigative Board established by the President after its investigations officially attributed the cause of the clash to a sudden and severe weather phenomenon known as a downdraft.
Asantehemaa’s death, burial
Another tragic incident that hit the region was the passing of the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, on August 7, 2025.
After four days of mourning, characterised by cultural practices and rituals, she was laid to rest in the quiet of the night and away from the eyes of the public on September 19, 2025.
It was graced by President John Dramani Mahama and other dignitaries, including former Presidents J. A. Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Others were the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah; Council of State member, Betty Mould-Iddrisu; Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene; former Vice-President, Dr Mahamud Bawumia, and his wife, Samira Bawumia; and former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
There was also a large delegation from the diplomatic community made up of representatives from France, Canada, Peru, Barbados, the United Kingdom, Suriname and Sierra Leone, among others.
Historic visit
In the year under review, there was a historic visit by the Leader of the Kingdom of Eswatini, King Mswati III, who paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene.
During the visit, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, hosted a durbar at the Manhyia Palace, at which there was the display of the distinct features of the rich Asante and Eswatini cultures.
In April, the region hosted the first-ever Ashanti Festival. Dubbed “AshantiFest”, the event projected the cultural heritage and other potentials of the region to indigenes and visitors.
German President’s visit
The German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, on November 4, 2025, paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The courtesy call in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region formed part of a three-day state visit by President Steinmeier to Ghana.
Additionally, President Steinmeier cut the sod for the commencement of work on a €5.6 million Centre of Excellence for Green Technology at the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI).
The 2025 Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards ceremony was, for the first time after 29 years, outside the national capital, Accra, at the Manhyia Palace, on the theme: “Safeguarding Ghana’s future: The role of the media in promoting peace, security and the fight against galamsey”.
Government interventions
On April 28, Kumasi became the centre of attraction as President John Dramani Mahama officially launched the Adwumawura programme to promote job creation and youth empowerment in the country.
On November 12, President Mahama unveiled the Nkoko Nketenkete household and backyard poultry production initiative to address the core of Ghana’s food security and inclusive growth agenda.
Under the initiative, a total of three million birds will be distributed across all 276 constituencies to benefit 60,000 households.
Each constituency is expected to receive 10,000 birds as part of the intervention.
Bawku mediation
On December 1, 2025, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, concluded final deliberations on his mediation efforts on the protracted Bawku chieftaincy conflict, following which the final report was presented to the President.
After chaotic circumstances and legal tussles following his death, the final funeral rites of celebrated Ghanaian music icon, Charles Kwadwo Fosuh, popularly known as Daddy Lumba, were finally held on December 13 and finally laid to rest the same day.
Concluding the year, the last Akwasidae of the year was held on December 21, 2025. Held at the Bogyawe, Manhyia Palace, it was graced by Lady Julia Osei Tutu, President John Dramani Mahama and his government officials, organisers of the Millennium Excellence Awards, Asante Professionals Club and Ghana Cleft Foundation, among others.
Writer’s email;
