President honours 13 rescue volunteers of Sikaman-Brofoyedu
President John Dramani Mahama has honoured 13 residents of Sikaman-Brofoyedu in the Adansi-Akrofrom District in the Ashanti Region for assisting in recovering the bodies of the victims of the August 6, 2025, Z-9 helicopter crash.
The recognition was for their heroic role in retrieving the remains of the victims.
As part of the gesture, President Mahama donated GH¢100,000 to the 13 residents and an additional GH¢20,000 to the Adansi Traditional Council to perform some rites.
Additionally, each of the beneficiaries received a plaque in recognition of their courage and patriotism in retrieving the bodies of the crash victims.
Further, there will be improvements in the roads in the area to ease transportation for the benefit of the people, as well as support for the two communities to complete their community centre projects.
Similarly, the 13 individuals would be offered employment opportunities in the public sector according to their skills and qualifications.
Commendation
The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, announced the various support packages at an event last Wednesday when he represented President Mahama.
He commended the members of the community for their bravery after the incident and the support they provided even before the arrival of security personnel, saying, “We are grateful that some of you even got to the scene of the accident long before the arrival of security personnel and government officials.
“What you did will forever be remembered and will also remain in the hearts of Ghanaians.
You showed true patriotism in the midst of pain and anguish,” he said and further entreated all Ghanaians to be patriotic at all times towards national development.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, also commended the people for their courage during the tragic incident and for providing the needed community support to the government.
Further, he lauded the community members for retrieving parts of the helicopter to assist in the investigation of the tragic incident, stating further that the investigating team was still on the ground and that anyone who still had parts of the helicopter in their possession should voluntarily hand them over to the team.
Background
On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, the helicopter crash claimed the lives of eight people who were heading for a national assignment at Obuasi in the Ashanti Region when the disaster struck at Adansi-Brofoyedu in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
They included the Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
The other persons on the flight were the acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, who was on his first official assignment since his appointment a fortnight ago; a former Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong; a Deputy Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation, Samuel Aboagye; Wing Commander (then Squadron Leader) Peter Bafemi Anala, the pilot; Flight Lieutenant (then Flying Officer) Manaen Twum Ampadu, co-pilot, and Flight Sergeant (then Sergeant) Ernest Addo-Mensah, crew member.
