The government of the West African nation of Ghana stated that a military helicopter crashed in the Ashanti Region today, resulting in the deaths of Ghana's Minister of Defense, Minister of Environment, three other officials, and three air force crew members. The chief of staff to President Mahama stated that this crash is a national tragedy, and the president and government have expressed condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims. According to reports, the helicopter departed from the capital, Accra, heading to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, and then disappeared from radar. The cause of the crash is still unknown.