Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong, a Research and Policy Fellow at the Institute of Economic Research and Public Policy (IERPP), has condemned remarks made by Rev. Dr. Stephen Y. Wengam regarding the recent helicopter crash that claimed eight lives.
According to Sarpong, the pastor’s claim that prayers averted the death of President John Mahama—who was supposedly meant to be on the flight—is not only deeply troubling but also gravely insensitive.
From Sarpong’s perspective, such a statement dishonors the memory of those who perished and exacerbates the grief of the bereaved families. He found it highly inappropriate for a religious leader to imply that divine intervention selectively saved one life at the expense of others.
In his view, the comment essentially suggests that while prayers protected Mahama, the lives of individuals such as Dr. Omane Boamah and Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed were somehow expendable.
He highlighted the disturbing implications of this reasoning, arguing that it paints a picture where the deaths of the eight victims were necessary so the former president could live.
“Simply put, you didn’t ask God to avert the tragedy but asked Him to transfer it to Dr. Omane Boamah, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Dr. Sarpong, Hon. Muniru Mohammed, and the others who were on board that helicopter.
“In effect, the 8 who perished were used as sacrificial lambs so that John Dramani Mahama could live forever? How can a man of God say this?”
Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong
Sarpong further dismissed the factual accuracy of the claim. He pointed out that President Mahama does not ordinarily use that particular helicopter for official travel, nor was he scheduled to be on board the aircraft that crashed.
According to Sarpong, presidential travel follows strict security procedures, including visibility checks and logistical surveys, making such spontaneous switches highly unlikely.
He criticized the suggestion that Mahama’s life was saved by prayer alone, saying it ignores the real-world systems in place for presidential movement. More importantly, he noted that this narrative unfairly devalues the lives of the others on board.
Sarpong Defends Faith Of Helicopter Crash Victims
Patrick Sarpong further expressed deep outrage at the implication that the spiritual lives of the deceased were somehow deficient.
He questioned whether the families of those who died were now expected to believe that their loved ones’ pastors had failed in their spiritual duties or that their prayers were disregarded by God.
“In other words, the pastors of the churches Dr. Omane Boamah and the others attend didn’t pray for them. You mean their pastors are not prayerful, or God doesn’t listen to their prayers, for which reason they died in the manner they did.”
Patrick Kwarteng Sarpong
“Man of God, you are saying that Dr. Murtala Mohammed’s religious leaders did not pray for him. This is way off beam, Osofo,” he added, urging more practicality in how issues of public interest are handled.
According to Sarpong, this view is not only “way off beam” but also theologically dangerous and deeply divisive.
He asked how such comments could possibly bring comfort to grieving families. Instead of promoting healing, Sarpong believes the pastor’s statement has opened fresh emotional wounds.
To suggest that the eight victims were somehow exchanged for the safety of one man, he said, is both hurtful and reckless.
He urged Rev. Wengam to demonstrate greater compassion and emotional sensitivity during a time of national mourning.
According to Sarpong, moments like this require spiritual leaders to offer unity, empathy, and measured reflection—not speculative claims that inflame public pain.
In conclusion, he called on the pastor to retract his statement and offer a formal apology to the bereaved families.
He stressed that national tragedies demand respectful public discourse, especially from those in positions of moral and spiritual influence.
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