President John Dramani Mahama today led a National Inter-Faith Memorial Service in honour of the eight people who died in last year's military helicopter crash, urging the country never to forget their sacrifice and calling for better protection for personnel serving the nation.
The memorial service, attended by government officials, military personnel, religious leaders and the bereaved families, marked one year since the helicopter crashed on August 6, 2025, killing all eight occupants.
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Chairperson of the Armed Forces Council, joined members of the Council of State, ministers of state, senior officers of the Ghana Armed Forces, other security agencies and relatives of the deceased at the ceremony.
Addressing the congregation, President Mahama said Ghanaians woke up on August 6, 2025, to news "none of us would have wished to hear", describing the moments that followed as a period of disbelief, grief and unanswered questions.
He said although the victims came from different backgrounds, they were united by their devotion to public service and their desire to serve the country.
"They boarded that helicopter to carry out national duty. None imagined it would be their final journey," he said.
President Mahama paid tribute to public servants who continue to work under difficult and dangerous conditions, saying their sacrifices often go unnoticed.
He called for stronger safety standards and greater investment in the welfare of personnel serving the country, saying the best way to honour those who died was to protect those who continue to serve.
Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, Mr Mahama acknowledged that no memorial service could erase their pain.
He assured them that the nation would continue to remember their loved ones, saying they belonged to all Ghanaians.
Those who died in the crash were the then Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, the then Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, the then National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The memorial service formed part of activities announced by the Presidency on July 30, 2026, to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy.
The programme opened with the presentation of a state support package to the bereaved families, including GH¢1 million trust funds for each child of the deceased, health insurance cover and other welfare support.
On August 4, 2026, the Ministry of Defence, in partnership with the Pope John Senior High School Old Boys Association, held the inaugural Dr Edward Omane Boamah Memorial Lecture at Burma Hall in Accra.
Later today, the Ministry of Defence is expected to unveil a memorial cenotaph in honour of the victims at an invitation-only ceremony.
The commemorative activities will end on Saturday, August 8, 2026, with a nationwide blood donation exercise dubbed "Service to the Soul"
The exercise will take place at district, regional and teaching hospitals, the 37 Military Hospital and other designated centres across the country.
