President Ruto mourns Ghanaian ministers killed in helicopter crash

The eight, among them Ghana's Minister of Defence Edward Boamah, and Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ibrahim Mohammed, died in a crash at the Ashanti Region on Wednesday.

According to reports, the Z9 helicopter, carrying three crew and five passengers, came down as it was flying from the capital, Accra, to the town of Obuasi. 

No survivors were reported after emergency teams visited the crash site.

"We stand in solidarity with Ghana in mourning this profound loss and offer our thoughts and prayers during this time of sorrow," Ruto said on X.

His sentiments were echoed by Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Korir Sing'oei, who expressed his devastation from the loss of the eight.

Their condolence messages came after the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed his solidarity with the Ghana Armed Forces and the ruling National Democratic Congress during their mourning period.

Plans to bury the Muslims among the deceased have been postponed pending full identification of the bodies.

Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has declared three days of mourning starting Thursday.

Ghana government has yet to give a detailed report of the cause of the crash.