Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed his deep sadness for the loss of eight people in a military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6.
The sad tragedy took the lives of several high-profile government officials and military personnel, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed.
In a statement on his Facebook site, the former President described the catastrophe as a national tragedy that has left the country “profoundly shocked and saddened.”
“I have spoken and extended my deepest condolences to the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, and to Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, Chairman of the NDC,” he said.
He also expressed his condolences to the Ghana Air Force and the families of all the victims, recognising the sacrifices of the departed military people.
“I console with our gallant men of the Ghana Air Force at this concerning time and salute their indispensable role in the public life of our country,” according to him.
Akufo-Addo ended his message with a prayer: “May they find peaceful rest in the bosom of the Almighty, until the Last Day of the Resurrection, when we shall all meet again.”
The government has since ordered that all national flags be flown at half-mast in memory of the fallen. The investigation into the reason of the crash is ongoing.
Bawumia mourns victims of the military chopper disaster.
Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia also conveyed his condolences for the deaths of eight people in the sad military helicopter crash.
In a statement, Dr. Bawumia said he personally communicated his condolences to President John Dramani Mahama following the tragic news.
“A while ago, I communicated to the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, my deepest condolences following the heart-wrenching news of the loss of two of our nation’s Ministers and six others in a helicopter crash earlier today,” he told reporters.
Dr. Bawumia praised the victims as guys who gave their all for the country, emphasising the overwhelming anguish caused by the tragedy.
“The fallen warriors paid the ultimate price in service to our motherland, leaving a stunned nation in anguish. “I know the majority of the deceased personally and am saddened to see them die in such horrific circumstances,” he said.
He added that he, along with his wife Samira, the Bawumia family, and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), stand in solidarity with the nation during this time of mourning.
“May the good Lord grant the bereaved families, the Government, and people of Ghana strength and healing in this time of tragedy,” he offered his prayer.
Read Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s comments below.
A while ago, I communicated to the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, my deepest condolences following the heart-wrenching news of the loss of two of our nation’s Ministers and six others in a helicopter crash earlier today.
The fallen warriors paid the ultimate price in the service of our motherland, leaving a stunned nation in agony.
I know most of the deceased personally and equally feel a sense of loss to see their demise under such horrid circumstances.
Samira, I, the Bawumia family, and the NPP mourn their loss alongside the rest of the country. May the good Lord grant the bereaved families, the Government and people of Ghana strength and healing in this time of tragedy.”
