The glow of candles lit up the Forecourt of the State House on Friday night as President John Mahama urged Ghanaians to rise above grief and embrace unity, following the military helicopter crash that killed eight people at Adansi Akrofuom on August 6.
Addressing dignitaries including Members of Parliament, senior military officers, and civil servants, President Mahama urged the nation to channel its grief into renewed commitment to unity and development.
He described the victims as more than just names in news reports “They were dedicated public servants, united by their commitment to Ghana’s success.”
The former president paid glowing tribute to the dead, including Flight Officer Chumam Pedu, Squadron Leader Peter Anala, and Dr Ibrahim Murtala, MP for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.
Their service, he said, touched lives across the country and should inspire Ghanaians to build the nation they envisioned—“a nation of justice, opportunity, and prosperity for all.”
Mahama warned against blame and division, urging a focus on truth, prevention, and resilience. He also drew a parallel to another tragedy—the recent accident that claimed the lives of 15 young church members—emphasising the recurring challenges facing the nation and the courage needed to overcome them.
“As we mourn, let us commit ourselves to healing and rebuilding,” he said. “Let their memories inspire us to act with courage, innovation, and shared purpose.”
With the official mourning period ending, Mahama announced that the burial of the crash victims would begin in the coming days, alongside support for the bereaved families.
