Deputy Director of the National Service Authority, Fuseini Donkor, has shared chilling details about how Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak narrowly escaped being aboard the military helicopter that crashed near Sikaman in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
The tragic incident claimed the lives of eight people, including high-ranking government officials: Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed.
Also among the victims were Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice Chairman and former Mayor of Kumasi; Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East; and three crew members from the Ghana Air Force—Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Speaking on Accra-based TV3 on Thursday, Mr. Donkor revealed that Minister Muntaka was initially listed as the fifth passenger on the doomed flight alongside Dr. Omane Boamah.
However, a last-minute decision by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson changed that plan.
“But for our Finance Minister, Muntaka would have been on the helicopter. He was all set to board with Dr. Omane Boamah. Then Ato told him, ‘No, you can’t go. We have an urgent meeting with the immigration team, and I need you here in Accra,’” he said.
As a result, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed took his place on the flight.
Mr. Donkor also disclosed that Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, had originally been scheduled to travel with the team but was left out due to the helicopter’s capacity limits.
“Sammy Gyamfi was also supposed to be on that helicopter, but it could only take five passengers,” he noted.
The victims were on their way to Obuasi for a government assignment when their aircraft lost radar contact and crashed into a forested area.
Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the crash.
Source: Adomonline.com
ALSO READ:
