Former Veep Bawumia consoles bereaved families, joins national mourning for crash victims
Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Friday honoured the memory of the eight officials who perished in Wednesday’s helicopter crash, describing the incident as a “national tragedy” that has brought grief to all Ghanaians.
Dr Bawumia, accompanied by officials of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was received at the Jubilee House by the Chief of Staff and other government officials. He laid a wreath and lit a candle at the Jubilee House Gardens in tribute to the victims, who included two ministers of state, senior government officials, and members of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Speaking to journalists after the solemn ceremony, Dr Bawumia stressed the collective nature of the loss. “The grief comes to all Ghanaians. This is not just me, it’s not the NDC. It is all of us. It is a national tragedy,” he said.
He emphasised that the eight public officials had died while serving the country, adding: “This is not a partisan issue, this is a national tragedy. You should expect full participation from the New Patriotic Party because this is our national duty. We will fully participate.”
Earlier in the day, the former Vice President paid commiseration visits to some of the bereaved families in Accra. His first stop was at the residence of the late Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, where he consoled the widow and family members.
He also visited the family of Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, before proceeding to Teshie to meet the relatives of Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, one of the three military officers who died in the crash.
At the homes of Dr Murtala and Alhaji Limuna, Dr Bawumia offered condolences in line with Islamic tradition, paying glowing tributes and joining family members in prayers for Allah’s mercy and for the departed to be granted Jannah (paradise). At the residence of Squadron Leader Anala, he offered prayers for God’s comfort for the grieving family.
Dr Bawumia’s visits and wreath-laying formed part of ongoing national mourning for the victims, whose deaths have united the country in sorrow and reflection.
