The Deputy Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Abass Apaak, has expressed deep grief over the helicopter crash that occurred on August 6, 2025, claiming the lives of eight individuals, including several notable public figures.
In a moving tribute, Dr. Apaak reflected on his personal relationships with some of the victims, notably Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Dr. Muntala Mohammed, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru, and Dr. Samuel Sarpong.
“Omane, bro,” he wrote. “I called him, and he would respond, ‘bro’. Only a week ago, he sent me documents on a teacher who had reached out to him about a delay in securing a staff ID. I promised to take it up with GES. He responded, ‘Grateful, bro.’ Oh my bro…”
Dr. Apaak also recalled fond memories of Dr. Murtala Mohammed:
“Murtala, my troublesome younger brother — I’d call him, and he would respond, ‘My big brother.’ Then he would go on to announce to everyone around: ‘Do you know that Dr. Apaak is the President of the Global Association of Dog Meat Eaters?’ Who will announce my most cherished title now?”
Speaking about Alhaji Limuna, he said:
“Limuna, my playmate. He would usually call me, ‘my slave’ — it’s a Gonja and Builsa thing. Just a week ago, he called to check on me. He mentioned he wanted to visit my office to introduce a representative from an international NGO interested in supporting education in Ghana. I told him I’d give him a date. My master is gone.”
He further reminisced about Dr. Samuel Sarpong:
“Dr. Sarpong — I called him ‘Senior’, and he would respond, ‘Doc’. We attended this year’s June 4th celebrations together, sitting close to each other. He, Dr. Duffuor, and I used the opportunity to discuss some crucial issues and agreed to formalize the ideas that came up. Senior, what happens to our ideas?”
Beyond the personal loss, Dr. Apaak stressed the need for a national moment of reflection, accountability, and renewed commitment to pressing national issues.
“We must never forget the dedicated service these gallant eight gave to our nation. We owe them a duty to get to the bottom of what caused this painful national tragedy,” he said. “Their sacrifice must spur us on to win the fight against galamsey.”
In closing, the deputy minister shared his emotional state:
“It hurts badly! Like many comrades, I’m distraught and saddened. I hope to muster the strength to lay flowers in memory of our gallant eight and to attend the remembrance event at the forecourt of the State House.”
A national investigation into the cause of the crash has been widely demanded by the public, and Dr. Apaak’s call adds pressure for a thorough, transparent probe.
Helicopter crash: Western North NDC Teachers’ Forum mourns with President and bereaved families
