Ghana Today News Morning 17th August 2025: Nation Mourns Ministers, MTN MoMo Paused

Good morning and welcome to your news roundup. The top stories in Ghana for Sunday, August 17th, include a nation in mourning following a tragic military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of two government ministers and six others. In business news, MTN Ghana has scheduled a temporary suspension of its Mobile Money (MoMo) services for a system upgrade. Meanwhile, the country’s economic outlook for 2025 remains positive, with strong first-quarter growth surpassing expectations.

Here are the detailed Ghana news headlines today:

National Tragedy: Ministers Perish in Helicopter Crash

Ghana has been plunged into mourning after a military helicopter crashed in the central Ashanti region. The Z9 helicopter was en route from Accra to Obuasi for an event focused on tackling illegal mining when it went down in a dense forest. President John Dramani Mahama has declared it a “national tragedy.” There were no survivors.

Key Victims Identified

The government has confirmed the identities of the eight victims, which include high-profile officials and the military crew.

• Hon. Edward Omane Boamah: Minister of Defence
• Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed: Minister of Environment, Science and Technology
• Alhaji Muniru Mohammed: Deputy National Security Coordinator
• Samuel Sarpong: Vice-Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress
• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala: Crew
• Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu: Crew
• Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah: Crew

Government Response and Investigation

President Mahama has declared a three-day period of national mourning, directing that all flags be flown at half-mast. The president has suspended his scheduled activities and promised a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Eyewitness reports from local farmers near the site mentioned foggy conditions and the helicopter flying at an “unusually low altitude” before a loud bang was heard.

Business and Economic Updates

On the economic front, the latest developments in Ghana this morning show a resilient and growing economy, providing a stark contrast to the day’s somber news.

MTN Schedules Overnight MoMo Service Suspension

MTN Ghana has informed its customers of a planned temporary suspension of all Mobile Money (MoMo) services. The downtime is necessary to allow for a system upgrade aimed at improving service quality and reliability.

• Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025
• Time: 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. (6-hour duration)
• Affected Services: All MoMo transactions, including sending or receiving money, deposits, withdrawals, and bill payments.

MTN has apologized for any inconvenience and advised users to complete any urgent transactions before the maintenance period begins.

Economic Outlook Remains Strong for 2025

Ghana’s economy continues to show robust health. According to a report from IC Research, the economy grew by an impressive 5.3% in the first quarter of 2025, outperforming projections. This growth was largely driven by the non-oil sector, particularly in fishing, ICT, and finance. The World Bank also projects that Ghana’s medium-term growth will return to its 5% potential, supported by fiscal consolidation and reforms. This positive outlook has boosted investor confidence, with the government on track to achieve its fiscal targets for the year.

Cultural and Travel News

Dartmouth College Heritage Tour Concludes

Today marks the final day of an 11-day “History & Heritage” tour of Ghana for alumni of Dartmouth College. The journey, which began on August 9th, took participants through key historical and cultural sites in Accra, Cape Coast, and Kumasi, including visits to the infamous slave dungeons and traditional Ashanti villages.

Homowo Festival Celebrations Continue

In the Greater Accra Region, the Ga Mantse continues to lead the Homowo Festival celebrations. The festival, marked by the traditional sprinkling of ‘Kpekple’, serves as a vital event for deepening unity within the Ga community.

On The Airwaves: BBC World Service Highlights

For those tuning in to international news and programs, here is a selection from the BBC World Service schedule for today, Sunday, August 17, 2025 (all times in GMT):