Organisations mourn helicopter crash victims
More organisations have paid glowing tributes to the eight persons who perished in the helicopter crash last Wednesday at Adansi-Brofoyedu, near Akrofuom, in the Adansi Akrofuom District in the Ashanti Region.
They are the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC), Methodist Church Ghana, AME Zion Church, Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and the Frimpong Manso Institute, a think tank.
A Ghana Air Force Z9 helicopter carrying eight people went missing after taking off from Accra last Wednesday.
On board were three crew members and five passengers, namely the Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah; the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed; the acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna; the Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Samuel Sarpong and a former Parliamentary candidate, Samuel Aboagye.
The rest are Squadron Leaders Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Amaning Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
GJA
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) appealed to journalists and media houses across the country to exercise professionalism, empathy, and sensitivity in their coverage of the tragic helicopter crash.
Most Rev. Prof. Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu — Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana
A statement signed by the President of the association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, urged traditional and new media practitioners to refrain from circulating graphic images of the accident, describing such actions as unethical and disrespectful to the memory of the deceased.
“This is a time for sensitivity.
We must honour the memory of the departed by treating this incident with the dignity and respect they deserve. Let us also desist from sharing disturbing visuals of the crash scene,” the statement said.
The GJA extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the government, and the Ghana Armed Forces, expressing solidarity with the nation in this moment of collective grief.
Catholic Bishops
The GCBC, in a statement signed by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, said it was with deep sorrow and profound Christian solidarity that the members of the GCBC received the tragic news of the military helicopter crash, which claimed the lives of eight distinguished Ghanaians.
The heartbreaking news, it said, reached “Us today during our August Plenary Assembly at the National Catholic Secretariat in Accra, casting a long shadow over our deliberations and stirring us to communal prayer and reflection.”
“These were men of proven dedication - public servants, politicians, technocrats and gallant officers of the Ghana Armed Forces - who gave of themselves in service to the Republic, its institutions, and to the people of this land.
Their sudden and untimely departure is not only a blow to their families and loved ones, but a grave loss to the nation,” he said
Methodist Church
The Methodist Church Ghana extended its condolences to the President, the government, bereaved families and the entire nation on the unfortunate helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight Ghanaians.
It said the church was offering prayers that the Lord, who is close to the broken-hearted, would uphold them with His peace and may their loss unite Ghanaians in national solidarity and reflection, as they entrust the souls of the departed into the eternal rest of God.
The condolences of the church were contained in a statement signed by its Presiding Bishop, Most Rev. Professor Johnson Kwabena Asimara-Gyadu.
The statement said in this painful moment, Ghanaians mourn as a people but not as those without hope, adding that, even in the valley of the shadow of death, Ghanaians were assured of God’s abiding presence.
AME Zion
The AME Zion, in a statement signed by the Presiding Bishop, Rt Rev. Dr Hilliard K. Dela Dogbe said the sad event had undoubtedly shaken our nation to its very core and brought great pain and grief to all.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to President John Dramani Mahama, the government, the Ghana Armed Forces and families and friends of the eight nationals who lost their lives in this devastating accident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all who have been impacted.
We stand united with the nation in mourning these gallant men who paid the ultimate price in service to our dear nation,” it said and that “As our nation unites in grief, may the memories of the departed live on and may their sacrifice spur us on to offer our best in selfless service to God and Ghana.”
GPCC
In a statement signed by the General Secretary, Apostle Immanuel N.O. Tettey, the GPCC said its heartfelt condolences go out to the families and loved ones of the deceased.
It said their commitment to serving the nation and their communities would always be remembered.
“Without any shadow of doubt, this is a national tragedy and an immense loss to their respective families, loved ones and the entire people of Ghana.
Our prayers are with the entire nation during this difficult time,” it said.
GaDangme Council
The GaDangme Council in a tribute signed by its President and former Attorney-General, Ayikoi Otoo, said the legacies of Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Alhaji Dr Murtala Mohammed, and others who perished in Wednesday’s helicopter crash would remain etched in the nation’s memory.
The council described the crash as a devastating blow to the country and called for ethical media reportage as the nation mourns.
The GaDangme Council commended the selfless service of the deceased, particularly Dr Omane Boamah and Dr Murtala Mohammed, noting their dedication, passion and contribution to national development.
It extended condolences to President John Dramani Mahama, the bereaved families, Cabinet, Parliament, and all Ghanaians.
“We pray for strength, comfort and healing for the families left behind and for the eternal rest of the souls of our departed leaders and compatriots,” the Council said.
GNAT
GNAT, for its part, conveyed its deepest condolences to the government and the people of Ghana, following the tragic air crash which befell the country on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 and claimed the lives of eight of its illustrious sons in their line of duty and brought Ghana to its knees.
A statement signed by the General Secretary, Thomas Musah, expressed the association’s deepest respect and admiration for the fallen men.
“Theirs was a call to national duty to which they responded gallantly and resolutely, the soldiers that they were, only for death to lay its icy hands on them.
How tragic and melancholy!
“We must confess the whole country is shocked and overwhelmed, the GNAT, not excepted.
Our hearts go out to the Government and people of Ghana and the bereaved families,” it said and “We hope the good Lord himself would grant them the fortitude and strength to withstand this loss, and cover them in his grace, and mercy in this moment of anguish, and even after.”
“Theirs was a service of gallantry, dedication, patriotism to the national cause and tells us, that when duty calls, in whichever shape or form, circumstance or situation, we should not fail Ghana, our beloved Country,” it said and that “The mighty have fallen, they bore up duty with finesse and sacrifice and bow out of duty honourably and solemnly; and would forever be etched in the nation's subconscious, when nation's story is told, even to the generations to come.”
NUGS
NUGS expressed its profound shock and heartfelt sorrow at the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the irreplaceable lives of the eight personalities.
It said the devastating loss had left an indelible scar on the conscience of the nation.
“NUGS mourns not only the demise of respected statesmen but also of leaders who once stood at the forefront of student activism and national development.
“Dr Omane Boamah’s journey from the leadership of NUGS to the highest levels of public service exemplifies the transformative power of student leadership, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of young leaders within and beyond Ghana’s borders,” it said in a statement issued by the NUGS President, Daniel Korley Botchway.
Equally, it said of Murtala Muhammed’s enduring legacy in the global student movement.
UTAG
UTAG said the loss of such high-profile and committed public servants was a profound blow not only to the government but also to the people of Ghana, particularly losing the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology in a period where visionary leadership, scientific innovation, and national security are critical to our collective progress.
“UTAG extends its deepest condolences to the families of the departed, the Government of the Republic of Ghana, Parliament, the armed forces, and the ministries affected by this irreparable loss. We also remember the technical crew and staff members who perished in the line of duty.
Their dedication will not be forgotten.
“We urge the government to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and to take all necessary steps to enhance the safety of official air travel going forward, to avoid future tragedies of this nature,” it said in a statement.
AGC
The Africa Governance Centre (AGC) called on Ghanaians to honour the memory of the eight distinguished citizens who tragically lost their lives in a military helicopter crash by upholding the principles they represented: service, integrity, accountability, and selfless leadership.
In a heartfelt press statement signed by the Communications Director, Victoria Moonn Cyriacus, and issued on August 7, the centre described the incident as a devastating blow to the nation.
“We must ensure that their legacy is preserved through our continued commitment to the ideals they lived and died for.
Their sacrifices must inspire us to strengthen our dedication to public service and national unity,” the statement read.
The AGC extended its sincerest condolences to the bereaved families and the entire nation, describing the event as a shared tragedy for all Ghanaians.
