President John Dramani Mahama has urged Ghanaians to channel their grief into a renewed commitment to nation-building as the country concludes three days of national mourning for the eight victims of Wednesday’s military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.
Speaking during an evening of reflections and a memorial ceremony on Saturday, August 9, the President called on citizens to “move from grieving to accepting our loss,” stressing that the greatest tribute to the fallen is to continue their work in building a united and prosperous Ghana.
“Let us commit ourselves to working tirelessly, transcending our differences, and focusing our energies on the monumental task of national development.
“They served Ghana with their last breath, and it is our sacred duty to continue that service to the Ghana they envisioned, a Ghana of opportunity, justice, and prosperity for all,” he said.
The crash, which occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District on August 6, claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed; former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; and NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong.
Three Ghana Armed Forces personnel — Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah — also perished when the Z-9 helicopter they were aboard went off radar en route to Obuasi.
The remains of the victims have been positively identified after a DNA analysis in South Africa, with two, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and Muniru Mohammed, scheduled for burial on Sunday, August 10.
President Mahama’s call comes as the nation grapples with the sudden loss of these high-ranking officials and military personnel, emphasising that their sacrifice should serve as a rallying point for unity and resilience.
