In a sombre and emotionally charged ceremony, the Presidency on Thursday led the nation in paying tribute to the eight victims of the recent military helicopter crash that has left Ghana in deep mourning.
Held at the Ceremonial Garden in front of the Jubilee House, the seat of government, the wreath-laying event marked a significant moment in the official three-day national mourning period declared by President John Dramani Mahama.
The ceremony, conducted under a grey sky and heavy atmosphere, brought together top state officials, grieving family members, members of the Ghana Armed Forces, and the general public — all united in collective sorrow and solemn remembrance.
Leading the wreath-laying were President Mahama and Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, whose expressions of sorrow underscored the depth of the national loss.
They were joined by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, Deputy Defence Minsiter Hon Ernest Brogya Gyenfi, National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, and the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
Also in attendance were the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General William Agyapong, Governor of the Bank of Ghana Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Bernard Ahiafor, and Deputy Majority Leader Kweku Rickett-Hagan.
Moment of Unity in Grief
The gathering was a moment of unity in grief, honouring the memory of eight individuals whose service to the nation spanned politics, public administration, and military duty.
Those remembered included the Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah; Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed; National Vice Chairman of the NDC, Dr Samuel Sarpong; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed; and Mr Samuel Aboagye, a former NDC parliamentary candidate.
Also honoured were three officers of the Ghana Armed Forces: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, who piloted the ill-fated helicopter; Flying Officer Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The gravity of the occasion was unmistakable, with dignitaries and ordinary citizens alike bowing their heads in quiet reverence.
The tribute was not just a symbolic gesture of mourning but also a reflection of the national consciousness — a recognition that the tragic loss extends beyond families and political affiliations to touch the very heart of the nation.
The victims, many of whom were at the height of their public service, represented years of dedication to Ghana’s democratic and security institutions.
President Mahama and Vice President Opoku-Agyemang did not offer public remarks at the event, but their presence spoke volumes. Standing with the bereaved families and military officials, they embodied a government in mourning — solemn, united, and respectful of the service and sacrifice of the deceased.
According to officials at the Presidency, the wreath-laying formed part of a broader national mourning programme, which will conclude with an “Evening of Reflections and Memorials” at the Forecourt of the State House on Saturday, August 9.
That event is expected to feature tributes, prayers, and a moment of collective remembrance, giving Ghanaians across the country an opportunity to reflect on the lives lost and the values they stood for.
The crash, which occurred in Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofuom area of the Ashanti Region, sent shockwaves across Ghana. It not only claimed the lives of key government and security personnel, but also served as a painful reminder of the risks undertaken daily by those in public and national service.
Since the announcement of the tragedy, tributes have poured in from across political lines, religious institutions, and civil society groups.
The ceremony at the Jubilee House was therefore more than a formal state function; it was a gathering of national conscience, a shared recognition of the depth of the loss, and a reaffirmation of the country’s commitment to unity in the face of adversity.
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