Latest news with #AshantiRegion
Zawya
4 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
European Union‑Africa Chamber of Commerce (EUACC) Mourns Ghana's Loss in Helicopter Crash
The European Union‑Africa Chamber of Commerce (EUACC) ( is deeply saddened by the tragic military helicopter crash that occurred on 6 August 2025 in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, claiming the lives of eight individuals, including the Honourable Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, and the Honourable Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Murtala Mahammed (MP). ' On behalf of our Board, members, and all our partners across Europe, Africa, and internationally, we extend our heartfelt condolences to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Prof Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman, Vice-President, Republic of Ghana, the bereaved families, The government, and people of Ghana in this hour of profound grief. We mourn alongside the Ghana Armed Forces and the ruling National Democratic Congress and recognize the gravity of this national tragedy. EUACC stands in solidarity with Ghana, offering moral support and unwavering commitment to streghten its collaboration with this country of investment opportunities. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, may the people of Ghana find strength and resilience in this difficult time, and may Ghana's unity guide the nation toward healing. ' Sonia Toro – Executive Director, EUACC. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of EU-Africa Chamber of Commerce (EUACC).
Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
HM The Sultan condoles President of Ghana
Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has sent a cable of condolences to President John Dramani Mahama of the Republic of Ghana on the death of the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Environment, Science Technology and Innovation and a number of Ghanaian government officials following a military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, southern Ghana. His Majesty the Sultan expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic incident, praying to Allah the Almighty to spare this friendly country the evil of accidents and disasters, and to grant the families of the victims patience and solace.
Al Bawaba
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Ghanaian Defense and Environment Ministers killed in military helicopter crash
ALBAWABA- Ghana is in mourning following the deaths of Defense Minister Edward Omai Boamah and Minister of Environment, Science and Technology Ibrahim Murtala Mohamed, who were among eight people killed in a military helicopter crash on Wednesday in the Ashanti Region. Also Read Four medical workers killed in Arizona plane crash Chief of General Staff Julius Debrah confirmed to reporters that the helicopter went down in the Adansi Praso area en route from Accra to the city of Obuasi. Shortly before the crash, the aircraft had lost contact with air traffic control. Footage from Ghana's Ashanti region shows the smouldering wreckage of a helicopter crash that killed the country's defence and environment ministers, along with three officials and three air force crew. — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 7, 2025 The Ghana Armed Forces issued a statement earlier in the day, noting that the helicopter was carrying five passengers and three crew members when contact was lost. The cause of the crash is still under investigation, and recovery operations are ongoing. President Nana expressed his sorrow at the incident, saying, 'This is a national tragedy.' Debrah announced that Ghanaian flags would be flown at half-mast until further notice in honor of the deceased officials and crew members. This marks one of the most significant losses of high-ranking government officials in Ghana's recent history. President Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to address the nation following an emergency cabinet session.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Statement by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the Tragic Helicopter Crash in Ghana
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has learned with deep sorrow of the tragic helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region of the Republic of Ghana, which claimed the lives of eight people, including Ghana's Minister of Defence, Hon. Edward Omane Boamah, and Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. The Chairperson conveys his heartfelt condolences to H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, the Government and people of Ghana, and the bereaved families of all those who lost their lives in this national tragedy. He also expresses his solidarity with the Ghana Armed Forces and the ruling National Democratic Congress during this difficult time. H.E. Mr. Youssouf stated, 'The African Union stands in full solidarity with Ghana in mourning this profound loss. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Who be di Ghana opposition party businessman 'Chairman Wontumi' wey authorities dey pursue?
Police and di economic and organised crime office (EOCO) dey pursue one ogbonge opposition party chairman ova plenti allegations. Bernard Antwi Boasiako (alias Chairman Wontumi) bin dey under pressure as di state dey chase am about im involvement for illegal mining (galamsey) and oda financial crimes. Dem bin rush di Ashanti regional chairman of di opposition NPP to hospital afta im allegedly fall sick during interrogation by EOCO. Dem arrest Bernard Antwi Boasiako alias "chairman Wontumi" on Tuesday afta im report to di police CID office, a day afta dem grant am bail wit two sureties. Di businessman chop accuse say im dey involve for illegal mining (galamsey), im dey pollute water bodies and also entering forest reserve without authorization wit im mining company. Last week, security pipo don go im house for Kumasi wit search warrant but oga Wontumi im private security no allow di officers to enter di house - but im gree to report imsef for di police station on Monday 26 May. Na so officers from EOCO don arrest di controversial opposition party chairman afta im visit di police CID Tuesday afternoon. Party supporters and dia leaders gather wia dem spend di night for EOCO office to demand di release of dia chairman. Dem cause kasala wit police and soldiers for dia wia some bin burn tyres wia dem dey chant. Afta six hours of interrogation, Oga Wontumi say im fall sick wia dem rush am to hospital. Im lawyer Andy Appiah Kubi confam say, "we neva finish di interrogation bifor my client fall sick, na so dem carry am go hospital." "If dem bin treat am wey im dey fit, we go come back to continue di interrogation, unless di doctors tok say im no dey well." Di arrest of chairman Wontumi dey in connection wit anoda mata different from di illegal mining allegations. Im lawyer say "we don receive anoda writ of summons by Exim Bank wey we go respond to di mata, we go mount defence for our client – dis na civil mata, but for di ones wey be criminal case, we go mount defence for oga Wontumi." Party leaders and di supporters tok say di way dem arrest dia chairman, no good. National youth organiser Salam Mustapha say di way dem arrest dia party member na "rambo-style." "Dis na democracy, di goment no fit to use state security to intimidate political opponents. Why dem go arrest pesin dis way? Dem fit to invite am wey im go present imsef. But to treat pesin like dis, na unfair." Oga Wontumi no be di only officer for di opposition party wey dey under investigation for various allegations of corruption Di former signals bureau boss Kwabena Adu-Boahene and im wife dey under trial say dem allegedly cause financial loss to di state wey dem also divert state funds. Di former director and di board chairman for di Ghana infrastructure and minerals fund (GIIF) also bin dey before court ova one $2m sky train mata. Di attorney general bin dey pursue oda former goment appointees ova alleged corruption among oda tins. Who be chairman Wontumi and why e dey popular? Chairman Wontumi na ogbonge pesin for di new patriotic party (NPP) – wey im be di chairman of di party for dia stronghold di Ashanti Region. Im dey popular sake of some of di tins im dey tok and how im dey handle tins. Im na old student of Prempeh College. Di businessman man get plenty businesses – im get mining companies, im dey for di construction and oda industries. For 2022, im declare say im wan buy Chelsea football club; im tok say im submit $3.1bn bid to buy di English club. Di businessman also bin get media business – wit TV and radio station. Three years ago, im carry wetin im describe as "pure gold" to im station wia im display for live TV. "Dis na solid moni, dis na pure gold, we no dey joke for dis kontri. Solid moni," chairman Wontumi tok as im dey display five bars of gold for di TV. Chairman Wontumi na one of di financiers of im party – na so im dey so powerful, especially during di last eight years under di NPP goment. Many civil society groups bin dey petition di police CID under di Nana Akufo-Addo goment say Chairman Wontumi im mining companies dey involve for illegal mining for di forest reserves. But di president at di time, Nana Akufo-Addo tok say di chairman company no dey involve for illegal mining even though di minister for lands and natural resources at di time, Samuel Abu Jinapor confam say di party chairman im company dey involve for illegal mining. Di environmental groups bin petition di police CID again dis year afta di elections say make di police investigate am, na dat be one of di reasons wey dem invite am to di CID headquarters. Despite im popularity for di NPP, im dey divide opinion among di party leadership. Im wan rise from im post as Ashanti regional chairman to become di national chairman of di opposition party.
