President John Dramani Mahama has suspended all public engagements and official activities for the rest of the week following the devastating military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight Ghanaians, including two of his cabinet ministers.
In a statement issued by his Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, on Wednesday, August 6, the President also declared a three-day national mourning period beginning Thursday, August 7, 2025.
“In honour of the departed, President John Dramani Mahama has suspended all his scheduled activities and programmes for the rest of the week,” the statement noted
The President further directed that all national flags be flown at half-mast across the country until further notice—a directive earlier issued by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah.
The national mourning follows the tragic crash of a Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter near Adansi in the Ashanti Region. The aircraft, which took off from Accra en route to Obuasi on Wednesday morning, went off radar at 09:12 GMT and was later found destroyed with no survivors.
Among those who perished were:
- Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
- Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
- Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
- Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
- Mr. Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala,
- Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu,
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
President Mahama, visibly shaken by the tragedy, has described the incident as a devastating national loss.
He extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and assured the public that a full investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the crash.
Tributes have since poured in from around the globe, including messages from the United Nations, African Union Commission, German Embassy, and Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio.
Further updates regarding memorials, funeral arrangements, and investigation findings are expected in the coming days.
