A solemn ceremony was held on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the Ceremonial Gardens of Jubilee House to honour the memory of eight individuals who lost their lives in a tragic military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
The event, which formed part of a three-day national mourning period, was organised by the Office of the President to pay tribute to the departed, including two senior cabinet ministers, military personnel, and political party leaders.
The crash, which occurred on Wednesday, August 6, has plunged the nation into deep mourning and shock.
President John Dramani Mahama led the ceremony, accompanied by Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyeman. Also present were Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia, members of the Council of State, relatives of the deceased, officials of the security services, and members of the public. Participants laid wreaths in a deeply emotional tribute to the victims.
The ceremony underscored the scale of national grief, as tributes poured in from across the country and the diaspora.
According to the presidency, the mourning period will continue through Saturday, August 9, and will conclude with an event titled “Evening of Reflections and Memorials” at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra.
The helicopter crash, which is being regarded as one of the most devastating incidents in recent Ghanaian history, claimed the lives of several high-profile individuals.
Among them were Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, who was also serving as the Member of Parliament for Tamale Central.
Other victims included Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr. Samuel Sarpong, National Vice Chairman of the NDC; and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate.
Three members of the Ghana Air Force, who were operating the aircraft, also lost their lives in the crash. They were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The helicopter was reportedly on official government duty when it went down in a forested area of the Ashanti Region.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, with authorities expected to provide more details in due course.
