Recent information emerging on Thursday has revealed how Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama narrowly escaped disaster when Ghana’s ill-fated helicopter crashed on August 6, 2025, killing eight people, including two cabinet ministers.
It was gathered that the Ghanaian President escaped after opting to attend a prayer retreat instead of traveling to Obuasi for a mining event, a decision that saved his life.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Ghana’s ill-fated helicopter, the military Z9 helicopter, carrying key government officials, crashed in the Ashanti region, en route to Obuasi for a Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) programme.
It was gathered that Mahama was initially slated to attend the launch of the rCOMSDEP in Obuasi.
Promotional materials for the event prominently featured the President’s name, raising public anticipation for his presence.
However, Mahama opted to attend the 1st National Pastors and Spouses Prayer Retreat at the Pentecost Convention Centre in Gomoa Fetteh, Central Region, on the same day.
Instead, he delegated his Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, to represent him at the Obuasi event.
Tragically, the Z9 military helicopter carrying these officials, along with six others, crashed in a dense forest in the Adansi Amrofuom District while en route. There were no survivors.
Other victims included Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate; and three military crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Meanwhile, Mahama has declared three days of national mourning starting Thursday, August 7, and ordered all national flags to be flown at half-mast.
He suspended all official activities for the week, expressing deep sorrow for the loss of “comrades and servicemen who died in service to the country.”
