Economic Advisor at the Office of the Vice President, Dr. Sharif Khalid, has cautioned the public against making unverified connections between President John Dramani Mahama’s travel arrangements and the August 6 military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives.
Speaking in the wake of rising speculation on social media and in some political commentary, Dr. Khalid stressed that such conjecture, without authoritative backing, risked undermining both the truth and the national mood of mourning.
“We need to refrain if we cannot actively say that the helicopter that crashed is what the President was going to sit in.
“If we cannot authoritatively say that this is what it is, then making such comparisons only fills the air with rumour-mongering. When we have such high-profile issues and the discussion is this murky, it is not helpful”
Dr. Sharif Khalid, Economic Advisor at the Office of the Vice President
Speculations about the president’s travel plans in relation to the Z-9 helicopter crash gained momentum when it was discovered after the tragedy, that President John Dramani Mahama was the special guest speaker at the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) launch in Obuasi.
He however designated the role to the defence minister so he could attend to other state obligations. The August 6 crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region plunged Ghana into serious shock, as it claimed the lives of everyone on board, including senior government officials and military officers.
The fatalities included Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Mr. Muniru Mohammed, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Mr. Samuel Aboagye, Peter Bafemi Anala, Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
According to initial information from the Ghana Armed Forces, the Z-9 military helicopter had departed Accra bound for Obuasi before it went off radar and crashed. Officials have yet to release any confirmed cause of the disaster, with investigations still in the early stages.
The Bureau of Public Safety has already called for an independent probe, warning that transparency and public trust could be undermined if the military is the sole investigating authority.
A state funeral for the victims will take place on Friday, August 15, with DNA testing underway in South Africa to conclusively identify the remains. Government sources say the ceremony will serve as a unifying moment for a grieving nation.
Dr. Khalid described the crash not merely as the death of individuals but as a national tragedy. “It’s not just death – they perished. A loss beyond families, the whole nation grieves,” he said, urging all Ghanaians to focus on supporting the investigation and preserving the dignity of those who died in service.
Minister Buah’s Emotional Tribute
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has also shared a deeply personal statement on the tragedy.
He revealed that he was at the grounds of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme launch in Obuasi, the destination of the doomed flight, when news of the crash reached him.
“The past three days have been profoundly painful and devastating for me as I grapple with the right words to express the depth of the situation.
“I am completely heartbroken over the tragic loss of my distinguished colleagues – Hon. Dr. Omane Boamah and Hon. Dr. Murtala Mohammed; Hon Alhaji Limuna Mohammad Muniru, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Mr. Samuel Aboagye, and the dedicated crew members”
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources
The rCOMSDEP initiative, Hon. Buah explained, is aimed at promoting sustainable mining practices while empowering local communities with targeted skills development. He stressed that the victims died in active service to this national mission, and their sacrifice would be remembered as part of Ghana’s history.
“We mourn not just public servants but heroes – fallen soldiers in the fight for a better Ghana,” Hon. Buah stated.
As the investigation unfolds, voices like Dr. Khalid’s continue to call for patience and restraint, warning that the spread of unverified claims could hinder the search for truth and unnecessarily inflame public emotions.
For now, the nation waits for answers while preparing to lay its fallen leaders and soldiers to rest.
READ MORE: PURC Resolves Over 96% of Consumer Complaints in H1 2025
