In the aftermath of one of the most devastating national tragedies in recent memory—the military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight Ghanaians, including two cabinet ministers—Ghana is now grappling with a different kind of grief: shame.
What began as a solemn moment of collective mourning was soon marred by what many have described as a disturbing and insensitive display of media sensationalism, as images and videos of the crash site flooded national television and social media platforms.
The Z-9 military helicopter carrying Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment and Science Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and six others, including security officers and party officials, went down en route to Obuasi.
The passengers were on a national assignment to participate in the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), a flagship initiative targeting Ghana’s artisanal mining sector, but regrettably, none survived.
Victims arrived in a casket at the Airforce base in Accra
While the nation attempted to process the magnitude of the loss, several media houses turned their lenses toward the crash site and mourning families, broadcasting graphic scenes of charred remains and bodies being retrieved in cocoa sacks. The backlash was swift and fierce.
Lawyer and activist Timothy Donkor, in a scathing social media post, captured the indignation of many and rebuked the insensitive coverage of the tragic accident.
“You can be a journalist and foolish. We are seeing it all on our TV TODAY. Sending cameras into homes. Putting microphones before teary eyes. Asking the disheartened silly questions. A mess all the way up!”
This criticism was echoed by Dennis Adjei, who pointed to a deeper societal failure, expressing deep concerns over the widespread lack of respect for the family, the dead and the general public following the event.
“What happened is a national tragedy. But what some media houses are doing is a national shame. Showing videos of the crash site and how our cabinet ministers were carried in sacks is not journalism — it is disrespectful, distasteful, and dangerous.”
National Security Lapses:
Adjei’s concerns extended beyond the media to national security. “Where was our national security? Where was the military? How were media houses allowed to livestream such scenes without restraint?” he asked. “Let’s mourn with honour, not with sensationalism.”
Even within the media industry, professionals expressed discomfort. Gary Al-Smith, a respected Ghanaian sports journalist, drew comparisons between the Ghanaian coverage and international standards.
Referring to the death of Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota, he wrote, “Diogo Jota died. Dignified coverage. Respectful distance from the gory scenes. And then there’s us. Live coverage of remains, live coverage of cocoa sacks being used to convey them, zero dignity in their final moments. We, the GH media, must all do better.”
The backlash did not go unnoticed by the government. Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Technology, issued a public plea for restraint.
Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George
Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Hon. Samuel Nartey George
“Dear Fellow Citizens, I plead with you to show some restraint and decorum in these trying moments. Let us have respect for the families of the departed and stop spreading those unwholesome videos. I beg you all to show some empathy and humanity. These are very difficult moments for us all. Thank you.”
Yet, despite his appeal, many media outlets continued to air disturbing footage, including graphic close-ups of the crash scene and intrusive interviews with distraught relatives.
Critics have argued that the failure to heed the minister’s call reflects a broader problem in the media landscape—one where competitive ratings and viral content are often prioritised over decency and compassion.
Grieving Trauma:
Beyond the criticism of the media, the disturbing coverage has inflicted further trauma on grieving families. For many, the loss of their loved ones was made more painful by having their final moments broadcast across the nation in the most dehumanising ways.
Instead of solemn tributes and dignified coverage, families were forced to endure televised reminders of their pain—often without their consent.
The scenes have prompted a broader national conversation about the role of the media in times of grief and national disaster. For many, the conduct of the media on this occasion has stained the very meaning of journalism and exposed a deep deficit in professional ethics.
The Ghanaian press, long hailed for its vibrancy and watchdog role in democratic governance, is now under public scrutiny for its failure to uphold the basic values of human dignity and respect.
Questions are also being raised about crisis response and the role of state security in protecting both the deceased and the public from distressing and unfiltered images.
The military’s apparent lack of control over the crash site has raised alarm over institutional preparedness in handling such national emergencies.
In a country that has long prided itself on a vibrant, free press, this moment has sparked deep reflection about the responsibilities that come with such freedom.
While journalists have the right to inform, the public appears to be demanding a higher standard: the right to mourn in peace, without the intrusion of cameras or the commodification of grief.
What should have been a day of national unity and reverence has, for many, become a symbol of how far Ghana must go to balance freedom of expression with empathy and responsibility.
By Leo Nelson