Presidency sets up task force to investigate helicopter crash

The government has formed a task force to investigate the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of two senior public officials and six others on Wednesday.

The Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, made this known in a radio interview with Joy FM on Thursday [August 7, 2025].

The helicopter crash claimed the lives the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, the Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah and the acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna and five others.

Ms Muslim said the task force is expected to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

“There’s also a task force to investigate what has happened,” she said. “I think clear communication of what has happened would ease the burden on the hearts of many. We will communicate around the clock on various developments.”

She added that the Presidential Planning Committee was already in touch with the bereaved families and had started coordinating memorial and funeral arrangements in line with national mourning protocols.

The Presidency has declared three days of national mourning, during which the national flag is to be flown at half-mast across all public buildings. President John Dramani Mahama has also suspended all official engagements for the rest of the week.

Ms Muslim said the President was deeply affected by the tragedy, describing the two deceased officials as close associates of the President and respected public servants.

“These are young people who invested in themselves, invested in knowledge from their student days… It’s not shocking that they became internationally prominent the way they did,” she said.

The formation of the task force follows widespread public concern and calls for transparency over the events that led to the crash.