Ghana is reeling from the death of Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, who died in Wednesday’s helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region. He was among eight high-profile government and military officials who perished in the tragedy.
Dr. Murtala Mohammed, 50, was a seasoned legislator, academic, and statesman whose public service career spanned teaching, policymaking, and legislative leadership. His death has shocked the nation and drawn tributes from across the political divide.
Born on December 14, 1974, Dr. Mohammed hailed from the Northern Region and began his professional life as a teacher, earning a Certificate A from the Tamale College of Education in 1999. He later pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s in Development Planning from KNUST, an MA in International Relations and Diplomacy, and an LLB from Mountcrest University College. He recently completed a PhD in Political Science at the University of Ghana, where his research focused on the effectiveness of Ghana’s parliamentary committee system.
Dr. Murtala Mohammed first entered public office in 2009 as Deputy National Coordinator of the National Youth Employment Programme. He went on to serve as a Member of Parliament for Nanton in the Third Parliament, and later for Tamale Central in both the Eighth and current Ninth Parliaments under the National Democratic Congress (NDC). In Parliament, he served on key committees including Public Accounts and Trade, Industry and Tourism.
He was appointed Deputy Minister for Information and Media Relations and later Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration between 2013 and 2017.
In February 2025, President Mahama appointed him Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation. During his brief tenure, Dr. Mohammed quickly set out to reverse environmentally harmful policies, including repealing Legislative Instrument 2462, which allowed mining in forest reserves. He championed the role of science and technology in addressing climate change, supported SMEs involved in plastic waste recycling, and engaged in efforts to enhance Ghana’s climate data systems.
Dr. Mohammed was known for his principled stance on governance, his dedication to youth empowerment, and his insistence on transparency in public office. Colleagues often described him as bold, articulate, and deeply committed to the cause of social and environmental justice.
He died alongside Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, and other officials while en route to Obuasi for the launch of a Responsible Mining Programme. The military helicopter carrying them lost contact shortly after takeoff and was later discovered crashed in a forested area near Adansi Akrofuom.
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, who officially confirmed the deaths, announced that national flags will fly at half-mast in honour of the deceased.
Dr. Murtala Mohammed leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence, fearless leadership, and unwavering service to country. His passing is a profound loss to Ghana.
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