The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has expressed disbelief over the reported deaths of Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence; Environment, Science and Technology Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and others, saying he is still holding on to hope that they may have simply gone missing and could be found alive.

Speaking in an interview following the tragic news on August 7, 2025, Prof Gyampo said that he first read about the incident on social media, but has struggled to come to terms with it.

“Until I see these guys well-dressed in their caskets and their well-membered mortal remains, I still want to believe that maybe they dropped off somewhere in the forest and we have to go look for them.

“Maybe they missed their way, maybe they are lost in the forest, and we will be able to bring them back. It is very painful,” he added.

Prof Gyampo recounted his long-standing personal relationship with Dr Omane Boamah, who once served as a personal medical doctor to one of his children.

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The crash of the Z9 helicopter, which belonged to the Ghana Armed Forces, claimed the lives of Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.

Others are Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna; former Central Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong; and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate.

Members of the helicopter’s crew were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu and Sgt Ernest Addo Mensah.

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