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The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of five senior government officials and three Ghana Armed Forces crew members on Wednesday, August 6, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the GJA extended its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, President John Dramani Mahama, and the Ghana Armed Forces, describing the incident as a “devastating national loss.”
“We mourn the passing of gallant public servants who died in the line of duty, and we stand with the nation during this difficult time,” the statement read.
Media Urged to Uphold Ethics and Sensitivity
The association strongly condemned the circulation of graphic images and videos from the crash site, urging both traditional and new media practitioners to refrain from sharing gory content out of respect for the deceased and their grieving families.
“We must honour the memory of the departed by treating this incident with the dignity and respect the deceased deserve,” the GJA urged, calling the circulation of graphic material “highly insensitive” and a breach of journalistic ethics.
It called for professionalism, sensitivity, and ethical responsibility in reporting such tragedies, emphasising that images of charred remains circulating on social media only deepen the trauma for the families and undermine national healing.
Victims of National Assignment Remembered
The crash claimed the lives of:
- Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
- Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology
- Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
- Samuel Aboagye, former NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East
- Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice Chairman and former Kumasi Mayor
The aircrew members were:
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
- Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
The team was reportedly en route to Obuasi to attend the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), part of efforts to combat illegal small-scale mining (galamsey), when their helicopter went off radar.
National Mourning and Government Response
President Mahama has declared three days of national mourning, beginning Thursday, August 7. All flags are to be flown at half-mast nationwide in honour of the fallen.
The bodies of the victims have been recovered and transported to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra for identification and autopsy.
In the wake of the tragedy, the President has directed:
- Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to assume additional responsibility as Minister for Defence, effective immediately.
- Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah Buah, to serve as acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology until further notice.
Call for Independent Investigation
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) has joined calls for a transparent, independent investigation into the cause of the crash. With public concern growing, there is increasing pressure on authorities to provide a clear and credible explanation for the incident.
The Ghana Armed Forces, in a brief statement, confirmed that preliminary assessments are underway, with further details to be shared once investigations progress.
