Ghana’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has issued a deeply emotional appeal for unity and sober reflection as the country mourns eight victims of the August 6 helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.
Speaking after signing the Book of Condolence at the Ministry of Environment’s regional conference room, she called on Ghanaians to put aside political differences in moments of grief and instead strengthen the bonds that hold the nation together.
“This country needs to heal. We must reflect on our actions, whether they are helping or harming our nation. We cannot continue to politicise tragedies. We need to bow our heads in shame and learn from the lives and sacrifices of these gallant men. Let us be the Ghanaians the world knows us to be — empathetic and united,” she said.
Gomashie honoured the late Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, praising their integrity, patriotism, and lifelong commitment to service. She described them as examples of selfless leadership the nation should strive to follow.
The minister became visibly moved when recalling her final exchange with Dr Murtala just a day before the tragedy.
“I will shock you. I am going to the Ashanti Region, when I return, you’ll see the things I’ve done for you,” he told her.
The loss, she added, was made even more painful as she was preparing for her father’s funeral at the time, making the news of the crash all the more devastating.
