Former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo have joined the nation in mourning the tragic loss of eight notable individuals, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Minister of Environment, Science and Technology Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. Former Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has also expressed profound sorrow over the deaths, extending his condolences to their families. The former Presidents each issued separate statements conveying their heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, the current President, and the people of Ghana.
J.A. Kufuor
Former President Kufuor, in a statement he issued, expressed his condolences to the bereaved families of the eight individuals who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash. He described the incident as shocking and paid tribute to the victims. “May we honour their memory by striving for compassion, unity, and common purpose in serving our nation, Ghana,” Mr Kufuor said. The former President extended his thoughts and prayers to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, calling on God to console the entire nation, especially the bereaved families and the President of the Republic.
Nana Akufo-Addo
Former President Akufo-Addo, for his part, expressed profound sorrow over the deaths of eight individuals in a military helicopter crash. In a statement shared on his Facebook page, the former President described the crash as a national tragedy that has left the country “profoundly shocked and saddened.” “I have spoken and extended my deepest condolences to the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, Chairman of the NDC,” Mr Akufo-Addo stated.
He also extended sympathies to the Ghana Air Force and the families of all the victims, acknowledging the sacrifices of the fallen military personnel.
I condole with our gallant men of the Ghana Air Force at this concerning time and salute their indispensable role in the public life of our country,” he said. Mr Akufo-Addo concluded his message with a prayer: “May they find peaceful rest in the Bosom of the Almighty, until the Last Day of the Resurrection, when we shall all meet again.”
Bawumia
Former Vice-President Dr Bawumia, in a statement, conveyed his condolences to President John Dramani Mahama following the devastating news. Dr Bawumia described the victims as men who paid the ultimate price in service to the nation, noting the widespread grief the tragedy has brought. The fallen men paid the ultimate price in the service of our motherland, leaving a shocked nation in pain. I know most of the deceased personally and equally feel a sense of loss to see their demise under such horrid circumstances,” he stated.
He added that he, along with his wife Samira, the Bawumia family, and the New Patriotic Party, stand in solidarity with the nation during this time of mourning. “May the good Lord grant the bereaved families, the government, and people of Ghana strength and healing in this time of tragedy,” he concluded. The government has since directed all national flags to be flown at half-mast in honour of the deceased. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
By: Samuel Duodu
