Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has described the military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including senior government officials and military officers, as a national tragedy.
Speaking at a solemn flower-laying ceremony in honour of the victims on Friday, August 8, Dr. Bawumia said the incident was a painful loss for the entire nation.
He stressed that the tragedy rises above political divisions and called for collective national mourning, adding that the New Patriotic Party would take part in all commemorative events.
“This is a national tragedy. This morning I visited three of the deceased families, and I will continue that exercise tomorrow, Saturday, August 9.
This is personal to all Ghanaians, and I want to extend my condolences to the government, H.E President John Dramani Mahama, families, Ghana Armed Forces, who have lost gallant soldiers.
“It’s a very painful loss. Ghana has lost a tremendous amount from this particular tragedy. This is why I’m here to lay a wreath to express my condolences. This is not a partisan issue; it is a national tragedy, and you should expect full participation because it is our national duty to fully participate,” he said.
The crash, which occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, killed Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six others, including military personnel.
The flower-laying ceremony is part of a series of national mourning activities ahead of the state burial scheduled for August 15, 2025.
Below are the names of individuals who had perished in the helicopter crash.
1. Dr Edward Omane Boamah - Minister for Defence
2. Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed - Minister for Environment
3. Alhaji Muniru Mohammed - Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
4. Dr Samuel Sarpong - Vice Chairman, NDC
5. Mr Samuel Aboagye - Former Parliamentary candidate
6. Squadron leader Peter
7. Flying Officer Twum Ampadu
8. Sergeant Ernest Addo
