Nation observes solemn night of reflection for helicopter crash victims
The forecourt of the State House was bathed in a sombre glow on Saturday evening, as hundreds gathered under a sky heavy with grief, united in sorrow, for the lives lost in last Wednesday’s tragic helicopter crash.
Candles flickered in the quiet breeze, their tiny flames mirroring the fragile hope of a nation grappling with an unimaginable loss.
The state was mourning two Ministers of State, a Deputy National Security Coordinator, a Deputy Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation, a Vice-Chairman of the governing party and three flight crew who perished in the helicopter crash in Adansi Brofuyedu in the Adansi Akrofuom District in the Ashanti Region.
The air was thick with hymns, whispered prayers and the occasional restrained sob as dignitaries, family members and ordinary citizens stood shoulder to shoulder, bound by shared pain.
President John Dramani Mahama, his face etched with exhaustion and resolve, led the solemn ceremony, an evening of interfaith prayers, soul-stirring song ministrations and heartfelt tributes to conclude the three days of national mourning for the departed victims of the devastating crash.
By his side stood Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang; Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah; Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe Bonney, their presence reflecting the magnitude of the tragedy.
The President of Sierra Leonean, Mr Julius Maada Wonie Bio; former President John Agyekum Kufuor, and former Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, added to the gathering’s weight.
Closure
“These three days are not enough,” Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, declared, his voice trembling with emotion as he delivered a message on behalf of the government to open the evening.
Former President J.A. Kufuor (2nd from right) in the company of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia (right), former Vice-President, and Alban Bagbin (left), Speaker of Parliament, in a solemn mood during the service
Yet, amid the grief, there was a promise: the government’s unwavering commitment to uncover the truth behind the crash, to deliver, as Mr Debrah assured, “complete closure” for the grieving families.
As the night deepened, the echoes of tributes and scripture blended into the darkness.
Cherished memories
When he spoke, President Mahama urged the nation to look beyond despair and find hope in the legacy of those who perished.
Some members of the clergy leading a prayer session
“I pray that the cherished memories of these our loved ones will serve as a guiding light, illuminating a path through the darkness and devastation of this national tragedy,” he said.
President Mahama emphasised that the loss of the eight was also his personal loss, citing his personal relationship with almost all of them.
“I stand before you tonight additionally, and quite humbly, as a person who is also personally grieving the departed; each of the eight persons in that helicopter was either a friend, a cherished colleague, or a valued citizen of this country that I lead,” he said.
The Vice-President, addressing the solemn gathering, gave voice to the nation's collective grief.
"This is neither a time for perfect words nor a time for the right thoughts, because there are none," she said.
She paid tribute to the victims as patriots who had "served their nation and humanity well", urging all present to find solace in cherished memories of the departed.
Reflections
The memorial service witnessed moving tributes from colleagues, family members, friends and associates of the eight deceased.
Vice-President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang (left) consoling Lordina Mahama, the First Lady
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, Colonel Ernestina Assan remembered the late minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, as a visionary leader whose sudden passing had "shattered" critical national plans.
"What a great shock (that) death laid its icy hands on you," she said, describing the former Defence Minister as a humble and approachable leader who bridged military and civilian divides with uncommon grace.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Suweibah Adam, reflected on the exemplary work ethic of the late sector minister, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
"Punctuality was his trademark," she said.
She said the late minister arrived at work between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. each day to review correspondence before his official duties began.
His ability to seamlessly joggle responsibilities at the ministry, Parliament and Presidency while maintaining an open-door policy, she said, set an enduring standard for public service.
The National Security Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Abdul-Osman Razak, described the late Alhaji Minuru Lumuna, a Deputy National Security Coordinator, who also perished in the crash, as a scholar who was dedicated to the development of the country, while the National Disaster Management Organisation described Samuel Aboagye, then a Deputy Director of NADMO, as the youngest yet most influential among the deputy directors of the organisation.
Air Commodore Mathias Awuah, who delivered a tribute from the Ghana Armed Forces, said the departed soldiers were exceptional.
Some ministers of state at the service
He said the pilot of the helicopter, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, exhibited the highest standard of professionalism and commitment.
“His sudden departure is an irreplaceable loss to the service and the Ghana Armed Forces as a whole. Commissioned into the Operations Branch on 17th October 2014, Squadron Leader Anala exercised exceptional skill, discipline and dedication,” he said.
He said the other fallen soldiers, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, were well trained and served with dedication.
“Your duty is done, but your legacy endures forever,” he said.
The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Kwetey, led the party to reflect on the lives of the departed comrades, especially the National Vice-Chairman, Samuel Sarpong, whom he described as a dependable leader.
The evening's interfaith prayers and musical tributes created a sombre yet unifying atmosphere, as the nation continues to grapple with the tragedy's aftermath.
