Former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Inusah Fuseini, has clarified that the victims of the recent military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region were not on a mission to fight illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, but rather to promote responsible mining.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, August 16, the former Tamale Central MP explained that the assignment was focused on safeguarding the environment while ensuring communities benefit from their natural resources.
“What our fallen heroes were going to do was to promote responsible mining, which means mining the natural resources without damaging the environment,” Mr. Fuseini said. “That is what they were going to do, and not to fight galamsey.”
He stressed that their task was to advance sustainable practices in the mining sector, describing it as crucial for Ghana’s long-term development.
The crash occurred on Wednesday, August 6, at Adansi Akrofrom in the Ashanti Region, claiming the lives of eight prominent figures.
Among the dead were Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed. Their sudden deaths have left the nation in shock and mourning.
A solemn state funeral was held on Friday, August 15, at the Black Star Square in Accra, where leaders, security officials, and citizens gathered to pay their final respects.
The tragedy has sparked widespread calls for a full-scale investigation, with many stressing the need to establish the exact cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences.
Source: Ernest K. Arhinful
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