President John Dramani Mahama has directed a full investigation into the military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives on Wednesday, August 6.
Addressing the nation on Thursday night, the president revealed that the Ghana Armed Forces has set up a board of inquiry to determine the cause of the accident.
“As we mourn, questions about the cause of this tragedy are only natural and important. I want to assure the families and the nation that the Ghana Armed Forces has initiated a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances of this crash,” he stressed.
He disclosed that both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder have been recovered from the crash site.
The president also confirmed that all eight bodies have been retrieved. He indicated that the government is in close contact with the bereaved families to assist with identification and funeral arrangements.
“All eight of the bodies of our departed comrades have been retrieved and the government is in close touch with the bereaved families about identification of the bodies and final interment,” he noted.
Mahama urged unity during this period of grief and cautioned against political divisions.
“In this moment of national grief, let us remember that we are above all Ghanaians, united not just by our nationality but by our shared hope, our shared humanity, and now our shared sorrow. Let us set aside our differences and offer our collective compassion to the bereaved families. This is not a time for division, speculation, or political point scoring. It is a time for strength, for empathy, and for the enduring spirit that still stands tall when all else has failed.”
A national memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 9, at the forecourt of the State House, followed by a state funeral on Friday, August 15, at Black Star Square.
Books of condolence will be opened from Sunday, August 10, to Thursday, August 14, at the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Armed Forces headquarters, the National Democratic Congress headquarters, and the NADMO head office.
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Story by Michelle Lartey|univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by George Dwumfuor Boateng
