In a solemn ceremony held at the Ceremonial Gardens of Jubilee House on Thursday, August 7, 2025, the Presidency led the nation in paying tribute to the eight fallen individuals who lost their lives in Wednesday’s tragic military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
The event marked the beginning of a three-day national mourning period declared by the government to honour the memory of the deceased, which includes two high-ranking government officials – Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed – alongside senior military officers and party leaders.
President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia, members of the Council of State, bereaved families, security personnel and citizens were present to lay wreaths and express collective grief.
The mourning period will continue through Saturday, August 9, 2025 and will conclude with an “Evening of Reflections and Memorials” at the Forecourt of the State House. State funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
The eight victims were en route to Obuasi on official duty when their Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crashed.
The deceased include; Dr. Omane Boamah, Dr. Murtala Mohammed – who also served as MP for Tamale Central – Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; NDC National Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong and former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye.
Also killed were three Air Force personnel: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
In response to the loss of two cabinet ministers, President Mahama has made interim appointments to ensure continuity in governance.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson will serve concurrently as Minister for Defence, while Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah has been tasked with overseeing the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.
National flags continue to fly at half-mast across the country. The Ghana Armed Forces, in collaboration with relevant state agencies, has launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash.
President Mahama is expected to lead a national tribute in the coming days, as preparations begin for official state funerals for the deceased.
