President John Dramani Mahama has led the nation in mourning the loss of eight prominent Ghanaians who perished in a tragic helicopter crash in Adansi Akrofuom, describing the incident as both a personal and national heartbreak.
Addressing the country in a solemn televised address, the President revealed that the crash, which occurred yesterday, claimed the lives of five passengers and three members of the Ghana Armed Forces.
The victims were identified as Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology; and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator.
Others include Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.
“This tragedy represents a deep personal loss for me,” President Mahama said, his tone weighted with grief. “I shared close bonds with many of these individuals who died.
“Our nation is grieving. On behalf of the government and the people of Ghana, I extend my deepest condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones. Know that our entire country mourns with you.
“We share your pain. Your loss is our loss—a loss of dedicated public servants, intellectuals, and individuals who relentlessly worked for a better Ghana.”
President John Dramani Mahama
The President spoke with deep respect for the service and dedication of the eight, noting that their final moments were spent in the service of the country.
“These eight individuals dedicated their lives to Ghana’s progress. That their final moments were spent in service is a testament to their unwavering commitment. We have lost some of our nation’s brightest minds”.
President John Dramani Mahama
Glowing Tribute
President Mahama paid tribute to the three Air Force personnel—Squadron Leader Anala, Flying Officer Ampadu, and Sergeant Addo—describing them as men who “embodied the best of their profession.”
He also hailed the public service of Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, whom he called “a humble yet effective public servant,” and praised the leadership and dedication of Samuel Sarpong, “a respected statesman,” and Samuel Aboagye, “a promising leader.”
Reflecting on the political and ministerial contributions of two of the victims, the President called Dr. Omane Boamah “a brilliant and dedicated leader,” and described Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed as “a passionate voice for his constituents and a champion for environmental stewardship.”
Even as the country mourns, President Mahama assured Ghanaians that the cause of the crash will be fully investigated.
“Questions about the cause of this tragedy are natural and important. I want to assure the families and the nation that the Ghana Armed Forces has initiated a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances of this crash.”
President John Dramani Mahama
He confirmed that an Investigative Board of Inquiry has been established, and that both the flight data and cockpit voice recorders have been retrieved. All eight bodies have also been recovered, with the government working closely with the bereaved families on identification and final burial arrangements.
Calls for Unity
In his address, the President urged unity in a moment of national grief, calling for compassion over political point-scoring. “Let us remember that we are, above all, Ghanaians—united not just by nationality but by shared hope, shared humanity, and now, shared sorrow.
“Let us set aside our differences and offer our collective compassion to the bereaved families. This is not a time for division, speculation, or political point-scoring. It is a time for strength, for empathy, and for the enduring Ghanaian spirit that still stands tall when all else fails.”
President John Dramani Mahama
He encouraged the public to make their words comforting, their actions kind, and their unity a tribute to those who lost their lives.
“To the families, to the Ghana Armed Forces, to the Ministries and Departments that have lost dedicated staff, and to the National Democratic Congress, which mourns the passing of valued members, may you find strength in their memory and their legacy.
“May we all be comforted by the knowledge that, though they are gone from our sight, they remain forever in the spirit of the nation they so faithfully served.”
President John Dramani Mahama
As part of the national mourning arrangements, President Mahama announced that on Saturday, 9th August at 5:00 p.m., an Evening of Reflection and Memorial will be held at the forecourt of the State House in honour of the deceased.
Books of condolence will be opened at the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, the National Democratic Congress headquarters, and the head office of NADMO from Sunday, 10th August to Thursday, 14th August 2025.
On Friday, 15th August, an inter-denominational state funeral will take place at the Black Star Square, where the nation will bid farewell to the eight “heroes” who, in the President’s words, “served Ghana with distinction.”
He closed his address with a prayerful blessing: “My brothers and sisters, countrymen and women, may God bless their souls. May God bless Ghana.”
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