Gov’t announces activities to mark first anniversary of 2025 helicopter crash

The government has announced a series of national activities to commemorate the first anniversary of the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight senior government officials, including security personnel.

In a statement issued on Thursday, July 30, the Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the commemorative events will honour the memory, service and sacrifice of the “Departed Eight”.

He said the activities are being organised by the government in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, key stakeholders and alumni groups, with the participation of the bereaved families.

According to the statement, the commemoration will begin on Thursday, July 30, with the official presentation of the state’s support package to the families of the deceased.

On Tuesday, August 4, the Ministry of Defence and the Pope John Senior High School Old Boys Association (POJOBA) will organise the Dr Edward Omane Boamah Memorial Lecture at Burma Hall, Burma Camp, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The event will be open to the public.

A National Inter-Faith Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, August 6, at the UPSA Auditorium in Madina, Accra, from 8:30 a.m.

The service is expected to be attended by President John Dramani Mahama, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who chairs the Armed Forces Council.

Later that day, at 4:00 p.m., the Ministry of Defence will unveil a memorial cenotaph in honour of the victims. Attendance at the unveiling ceremony will be by invitation.

The commemoration will conclude on Saturday, August 7, with the “Service to the Soul” Nationwide Blood Donation Drive, which will be held at all district, regional and teaching hospitals, the 37 Military Hospital and other designated centres across the country.

The government said the humanitarian initiative is intended to replenish blood banks and save lives in memory of those who died in the crash.

Describing the tragedy as one of the nation’s most painful moments, the government called on Ghanaians, civil society organisations, religious bodies, media organisations and the general public to participate in the commemorative activities and support the blood donation campaign.

“The loss of these eight noble individuals remains a deeply painful chapter in our nation’s history. However, their spirit of dedication to duty must continue to inspire us as a people,” the statement said.

The victims were travelling from Accra to the Ashanti Region for an official assignment when the Ghana Air Force helicopter they were travelling in crashed in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region.

The crash claimed the lives of Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, NDC National Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, Former Parliamentary Candidate Samuel Aboagye, and crew members onboard.

The government said the anniversary events are intended to honour their legacy while offering continued support to their families.

Nana Prekoh Eric

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