Accra: The Ghana Institute of Architects has conveyed its condolences to President John Dramani Mahama and the families of the victims involved in the tragic military helicopter crash on August 6. A statement from Mr. Daniel Kwadjo Teye, the Honorary Secretary of the Institute, expressed the deep sorrow felt by the Council and its members over the incident, which resulted in the loss of all eight individuals on board during a national assignment. The Institute emphasized the need to respect the memory of the deceased and the privacy of their families.
According to Ghana News Agency, the eight public officials who lost their lives in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region were notable figures including Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Defence Minister, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture. The list also included Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress and former Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Samuel Aboagye, a former NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The Ghana Armed Forces reported that the Ghana Air Force helicopter, Z9, went missing on August 6 while traveling from Accra to Obuasi. It lost contact with air traffic control shortly after its departure at 09:12 hours. Mr. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff at the Presidency, later confirmed the crash in a press conference, offering condolences on behalf of President Mahama and the government to the families and comrades of the deceased servicemen.
In response to the tragedy, a three-day national mourning period was declared by Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Presidential Spokesman and Minister in-charge of Government Communications. The government also ordered that all flags be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for the victims.
