The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the government to provide a comprehensive account of Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, arguing that the most meaningful tribute to the eight people who died in last year’s military helicopter crash is measurable progress in the mission they were undertaking.
In a statement marking the first anniversary of the tragedy, the opposition party joined the nation in remembering the victims, describing their deaths as a loss to the entire country rather than to any political party.
The military helicopter crashed in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region on August 6, 2025, while travelling to Obuasi, killing all eight occupants on board.
Those who lost their lives included Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment, Science and Technology Minister Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Dr Samuel Sarpong, Mr Samuel Aboagye, and three Ghana Armed Forces personnel who crewed the aircraft.
While expressing sympathy to the bereaved families, the Ghana Armed Forces and all Ghanaians, the party stressed that the victims died while carrying out a national assignment to combat illegal mining.
According to the NPP, the country owes it to the departed to demonstrate tangible results in the anti-galamsey campaign they were pursuing.
The party therefore urged the government to provide evidence of the progress made over the past year, including the current condition of Ghana’s rivers and water bodies, the status of forest reserves affected by illegal mining and the extent of land reclamation efforts.
It also called for an update on the official investigation into the helicopter crash, asking the government to disclose the findings, safety recommendations and measures implemented to prevent similar tragedies involving public officials and security personnel.
The NPP maintained that remembrance should go beyond ceremonies to continued action against illegal mining which would be the most fitting way to honour the memory of the eight victims.
