President John Dramani Mahama has declared three days of national mourning beginning Thursday, August 7, in honour of the eight Ghanaians who died in a tragic military helicopter crash on Wednesday.
The announcement follows the devastating loss of two senior government officials and six other public servants who were aboard a Ghana Air Force helicopter on an official assignment to Obuasi. The aircraft crashed in Adansi Akrofuom, in the Ashanti Region.
A letter from the Presidency, dated August 6 and signed by Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu, announced that all presidential activities scheduled for the rest of the week have been suspended in light of the tragedy.
“In honour of the departed, President John Dramani Mahama has suspended all his scheduled activities and programmes for the rest of the week,” the statement said.
The crash claimed the lives of several high-ranking officials, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, and former MP Samuel Aboagye.
The Ghana Air Force crew members who also perished were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The government is calling for unity and calm as the nation grieves the fallen public servants.
Meanwhile, all eight bodies are being transported from the Dampia Range Forest Reserve, where the crash occurred. A strong security presence — including military and police personnel — has been deployed in the area to oversee the recovery operation and maintain order.
–Story by Sika Togoh | univers.ug.edu.gh
