President John Mahama has ordered three days of national mourning, beginning Thursday, August 7, in remembrance of the eight Ghanaians killed in a sad military helicopter crash today.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency, all official activities and engagements of the President for the remainder of the week have been suspended.
The Chief of Staff has also ordered that all national flags be flown half-mast until further notice.
“This is a national tragedy,” the statement signed by presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said, as the country mourned the untimely deaths of top government officials and military personnel.
The crash killed several senior governmental officials, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Mohamme, NDC Vice-Chair Samuel Sarpong, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, and former MP Samuel Aboagye.
Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah were killed while on duty with the Ghana Air Force.
As the country mourns the loss of life, the administration has called for unity.
Meanwhile, the Dampia Range Forest Reserve is undergoing the removal of all eight bodies from the Ghana Air Force helicopter crash.
There is a considerable security presence in the village, with military and police troops assigned to handle the retrieval effort and keep order.
We can see several vehicles, including ambulances and support units, departing the scene.
