• Ghana's Defence and Environment Ministers killed in helicopter crash.
• All eight aboard, including senior officials, lost their lives.
• The government has declared three days of national mourning.
• An investigation into the crash is underway.
• President Mahama promises a full inquiry and identifies the event as a "national tragedy."

A tragic helicopter crash in Ghana's Ashanti region has resulted in the deaths of all eight people aboard, including key government figures such as Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

The helicopter, which took off from Accra, was en route to Obuasi for a national event focused on illegal mining issues when it went off the radar, as confirmed by the Ghana Armed Forces. The wreckage was later found in a heavily forested area, marking a critical loss for the nation, stated Chief of Staff Julius Debrah according to India Times and South China Morning Post.

The event has been declared a "national tragedy" with President John Mahama suspending all official activities and announcing three days of national mourning. The incident emphasizes the significant risks in Ghana's transportation and emergency services, as noted by several sources including Africa News and Le Monde.

Eyewitness accounts reported adverse weather at the time of the crash, with some indicating the helicopter was flying at an unusually low altitude. The flight's data and cockpit voice recorders are being examined as part of the investigation into the cause of the accident, per reports from BBC.

The nation is now in mourning as the victims, including other high-ranking officials and military personnel, were received with honors at Accra airbase, and arrangements for their burial are underway as detailed by Africa News, marking a deeply somber moment for the country.