‘But for our Finance Minister, Muntaka would have been on the plane’ – Deputy NSA boss
The Minister of Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, would have been on the Z-9 helicopter that crashed on Wednesday, according to the Deputy Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Fuseini Donkor. Donkor has disclosed that Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, stopped Muntaka from taking the flight, as he had asked him to join a meeting with some personnel from the Ghana Immigration Service.
Speaking on the Big Issue segment of the NewDay show on TV3 on Thursday, August 7, 2025, he said the Interior Minister was initially supposed to be on the helicopter with the Defence Minister as the fifth passenger.
However, the Finance Minister stopped him from boarding to attend a crucial meeting. According to him, Muntaka’s withdrawal led to the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, taking his place.
“But for our Finance Minister, Muntaka would have been on the plane. Muntaka was the fifth person on board with Dr. Omane Boamah, then Ato dragged him out. Ato said no, you can’t go because we have a meeting with the Immigration guys and I need you there,” he revealed.
“So, he was supposed to go, Murtala was not on the flight. So when Ato insisted and dragged Muntaka out, that was when Murtala replaced [his] vacant seat,” he added.
The revelation follows the death of eight persons, including top government officials who were on board the military aircraft, Z-9 on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
In a solemn address Wednesday afternoon, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, announced that all national flags are to fly at half-mast until further notice in honour of those who perished in the crash.
The tragedy occurred in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region and has been described by government officials as a national catastrophe.
“I have the unpleasant duty, sadly, to announce a national tragedy involving the crash of a military helicopter in the Adansi area in the Ashanti Region,” Mr. Debrah stated.
The crash resulted in the deaths of five prominent civilians and three members of the Ghana Armed Forces. Among the deceased are:
Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, MP and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology
Muniru Mohammed Lemunade, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture
Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chair of the National Democratic Congress
Mr. Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate
The military personnel who also lost their lives have been named as:
Squadron Leader Peter Bafimi Anala
Flying Officer Manim Twum Ampadu
Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensa
In his statement, the Chief of Staff conveyed the deep sorrow of the President and the government.
“The President and government extend our condolences and sympathies to the families of our comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country,” Mr. Debrah said.
The directive to fly the national flag at half-mast reflects the gravity of the loss and the nation’s collective grief. No further details were provided on the cause of the crash.
The entire nation has been plunged nation into mourning, as Ghanaians grapple with the sudden loss of public servants who dedicated their lives to national service and development.
Meanwhile, the Ghana National Fire Service has commenced investigations into the cause of the accident.
