President John Dramani Mahama has paid tribute to the eight state officials who died in the August 6, 2025 helicopter crash, saying they embarked on the trip with the intention of serving the nation, unaware it would be their final journey.
Speaking at a national interfaith memorial service held in Accra on Thursday to mark one year since the tragedy, President Mahama said the victims boarded the helicopter in the line of duty, committed to contributing to Ghana’s development.
He noted that although the eight individuals came from different backgrounds, professions and experiences, they were united by a common desire to serve God and country.
“They came from diverse backgrounds, diverse professions; they had different dreams, different personalities and different stories, and yet they were united by one common purpose: they answered the call to serve God and country. None of them boarded that helicopter expecting it would be their final journey,” he said.
The President described their passing as a painful loss to their families, colleagues and the entire nation, acknowledging the sacrifices they made in service to Ghana.
The August 6, 2025 crash involved a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter that went down in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region while the team was travelling on official duty connected to efforts to address illegal mining.
The victims included Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah; Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed; former Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Samuel Sarpong; former NDC parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; and three Ghana Air Force personnel — Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
ALSO:
The year has been long; it’s hard to reconcile their memories…
