Small-Scale Mining has no connection to helicopter crash – Ass. of Small-Scale Miners

The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners has rejected calls by sections of the public for a nationwide ban on small-scale mining in the wake of the August 6 military helicopter crash.

The crash claimed the lives of eight senior officials, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong. Also killed were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

The victims were en route to an event aimed at tackling illegal mining and promoting responsible mining practices when the helicopter went down in a densely forested area. The tragedy has plunged the nation into mourning and reignited public debate over the future of small-scale mining in Ghana.

During a media engagement monitored by Today.com.gh, Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Association, Michael Adu-Gyamfi, stressed that the accident had no link to the activities of licensed miners. “We are very concerned about the calls from some Ghanaians following the helicopter crash, which seem to create the impression that there should be a ban on small-scale mining. We believe that linking the incident to small-scale miners is very unfortunate,” he said.

He acknowledged that the officials were on a mission connected to the sector but maintained that the tragedy and small-scale mining should not be conflated. “If you look at the incident, it is entirely different from small-scale mining, though we acknowledge and accept that they were on a mission for an event related to the sector. When you connect the two, it makes us lose focus. We should instead concentrate on identifying the actual causes of the accident,” Mr. Adu-Gyamfi said.

He urged the government to invest in aviation safety and ensure such a tragedy never occurs again. The Association also cautioned against politicising the crash.

On Sunday, August 10, a solemn burial was held for the two Muslim victims — Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed — while a larger inter-denominational state funeral for all eight victims is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square.