MIIF calls for unity as nation mourns fallen heroes
The Board Chairman of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Richard Kwame Asante, has described the helicopter crash which claimed the lives of eight gallant statesmen, including two key cabinet ministers, as a collective loss that must unite the nation.
Consequently, he called on all to rally behind the government and families of the bereaved in what he described as a “difficult moment of intense grief”.
Mr Asante said this when he led a high-powered delegation from MIIF, which included the Chief Executive Officer, Justina Nelson, and other executives to lay a wreath at the Jubilee House in honour of the fallen public servants.
He said working in unison towards national renewal was key to realising the Reset Agenda of the government to make Ghana great again.
Mr Asante conveyed the heartfelt sympathies of MIIF's board, management, and staff to President John Dramani Mahama, Vice-President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the entire government, the National Democratic Congress, the Ghana Armed Forces and the bereaved families, adding "may their souls rest in perfect peace."
In an earlier statement, MIIF said: "The profound tragedy that these exemplary leaders who devoted their entire careers to protecting and advancing Ghana's interests should perish while still answering the call of national duty, deepens our collective anguish.”
Other tributes
There were other tributes by the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI), the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) and the government of Indonesia.
The NUGS President, Daniel Korley Botchway, said “we mourn not only the demise of respected statesmen, but also leaders who once stood at the forefront of student activism and national development.
He mentioned Dr Omane Boamah and Dr Murtala Mohammed, saying that commenced their journey from the leadership of NUGS to the highest levels of public service.
The leadership of UTAG in a statement, also described the death of the eight persons as a blow not only to the government but the people of Ghana.
It urged the government to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into circumstances surrounding the crash, while taking the necessary steps to enhance the safety of air travels going forward to avoid future tragedies.
For their part, the National Pensions Regulatory Authority commended the bravery and professionalism of emergency responders, security personnel and medical teams who were first on the scene of the accident, describing their efforts as “a beacon of hope amidst our sorrow”.
In a statement, they prayed for the souls of the departed to rest in peace, and “may the Almighty grant their families comfort and strength during this difficult time and the days ahead”.
Indonesia
The government of Indonesia has also extended its profound condolences to the government of Ghana, the bereaved families, and the entire citizenry over the incident.
A statement signed and issued by the Indonesian Consulate in Accra by the Honorary Consul, Paskal A. B. Rois, said the tragic death of the eight was a great loss not only to Ghana but Africa and the world at large.
They described the deceased as devoted personalities who served with distinction and honour in their line of duty, exhibiting “a true spirit of patriotism.
In a related development, the Chief Representative of Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI) in Ghana, Dr Hong Seok Kim, expressed shock at the disaster.
“The KEITI mourns with the people of Ghana, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, and the families of the departed. May their souls rest in peace.”
