President John Dramani Mahama has been left emotionally distraught in the aftermath of a military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight individuals, including some of the country’s top government officials. The devastating incident occurred on Wednesday, August 6, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, speaking to journalists, conveyed the President’s profound grief and described the tragedy as one of the darkest moments in recent memory for the administration.
“They were on their way to launch the cooperative mining initiative. The President is emotionally down, and we pray that God gives him, and the Ghanaian people, the fortitude to accept this tragic loss,” he said.
The victims include Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, Vice Chairman of the NDC and presidential staffer Samuel Sarpong, and former Obuasi East parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye.
Also killed were three crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Preliminary reports indicate that the group was flying aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi when radar contact was lost. Despite a rapid emergency response, all passengers on board were confirmed dead at the scene.
In the wake of the tragedy, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has taken charge of a high-level government delegation tasked with visiting the families of the deceased. The mission is being led by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah and includes top military officials and state dignitaries.
“The Vice President has constituted a team led by Julius Debrah to Koforidua, supported by the Army Commander and other dignitaries to visit the affected families,” Haruna Iddrisu added. “Please accept our heartfelt condolences. This is a very difficult moment for us all.”
As national grief deepens, President Mahama has ordered flags across the country to be flown at half-mast in honour of the fallen.
