Ghana: Defense and Environment Ministers Killed in Helicopter Crash

Tragedy in Ghana: A military helicopter crashed in the Ashanti region, killing the country's Defense and Environment Ministers, as well as six other people.

The Z-9 helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from the capital Accra, en route to the city of Obuasi. Defense Minister Edward Omane Boama and Minister of Environment, Science and Technology Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed are among the victims.

Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff to President John Mahama, described the accident as a "national tragedy" and announced that flags would be flown at half-mast.

According to authorities, the causes of the crash remain unclear.