Akufo-Addo, Bawumia Mourn Omane Boamah, Other Victims of Deadly Helicopter Crash

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia have joined the nation in mourning the eight individuals who tragically lost their lives in a military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6.

The crash claimed the lives of several top 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 Muniru Mohammed.

In a Facebook statement, Akufo-Addo described the crash as a “national tragedy” that has left Ghana deeply “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,” the former President noted.

He praised the sacrifices of the fallen, especially the military personnel, and added,

“May they find peaceful rest in the Bosom of the Almighty, until the Last Day of the Resurrection, when we shall all meet again.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Bawumia also released a heartfelt statement, describing the victims as heroes who paid the ultimate price in service to the nation.

“The fallen men paid the ultimate price in the service of our motherland, leaving a shocked nation in pain,” he said.

Bawumia stated that he had personally reached out to President Mahama to express his sympathies and added that both he and his wife Samira Bawumia, together with the Bawumia family and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), join the nation in mourning.

“May the good Lord grant the bereaved families, the Government, and people of Ghana strength and healing in this time of tragedy.”

The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that the Air Force Z9 helicopter, en route from Accra to Obuasi, went off radar and crashed near Obuasi-Sikaman. All eight onboard, including three crew members and five government officials, perished.

In honour of the deceased, the government has directed all national flags to be flown at half-mast. Investigations into the cause of the crash are currently underway.