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The Minority Caucus in Parliament has expressed profound grief and solidarity with the nation following the tragic military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight individuals, including two cabinet ministers, high-ranking party officials, and three military personnel.
In an emotional statement released on Wednesday, Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin described the incident as “a loss that touches the very soul of our nation”, paying heartfelt tribute to the fallen patriots.
“These were fathers, husbands, sons, and devoted patriots who awakened this fateful Wednesday morning with the noble intention of serving Ghana,” the statement read.
The tragedy, which occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, has plunged the country into mourning, with the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, officially confirming the incident earlier in the day.
Fallen Patriots Remembered
The Minority Leader paid tribute to the deceased, naming them as:
- Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence
- Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed – Minister for Environment, Science and Technology; MP for Tamale Central
- Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
- Samuel Aboagye – Former NDC Parliamentary Candidate
- Dr. Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of the NDC and former Mayor of Kumasi
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala – Pilot
- Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu – Co-pilot
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah – Crew Member
The victims were aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter, travelling on a national assignment to Obuasi, when the aircraft lost contact with radar and later crashed in a forested area.
Cross-Party Tributes and Reflections
In a rare moment of bipartisan reflection, Afenyo-Markin shared personal recollections of his interactions with his cross-party colleagues, highlighting their humanity beyond politics.
He described Dr. Murtala Mohammed as a passionate advocate for environmental protection with whom he had “countless moments of genuine discourse about Ghana’s future.” On Dr. Omane Boamah, he said, “He embodied a scholar’s intellect combined with a patriot’s heart,” adding that his vision for a modernised armed forces was grounded in deep respect for Ghana’s military heritage.
“These personal losses remind us that behind every political position lies a human being—someone’s beloved family member, someone’s trusted friend,” the Minority Leader reflected.
Call for National Unity and Legacy Building
The Minority Caucus extended condolences to President Mahama, the affected families, and the Armed Forces, pledging their full parliamentary support as the nation navigates this moment of collective sorrow.
“To all Ghanaians who mourn with heavy hearts, know that your loved ones did not die in vain,” the statement affirmed.
Afenyo-Markin further called on Ghanaians to honour the legacy of the deceased by supporting the Armed Forces, safeguarding the environment, and recommitting to national unity and service.
“May their souls rest in perfect peace, and may their memories remain everlasting beacons of light, guiding us towards a more united and prosperous Ghana.”
