President John Dramani Mahama has told Ghanaians to honour the departed persons in the helicopter crash not only with their tears, but with a renewed dedication to the ideals they lived for.
President Mahama said the victims served Ghana with their last breath.
“It is our sacred duty to continue that service to build the Ghana they wanted, a Ghana of opportunity, justice and prosperity for all our citizens.
“Let us honour the departed not only with our tears, but with a renewed dedication to the ideals they lived for.”
“We are truly a seamless, unified family, and therefore, we must not only mourn as one but commit to healing as one,” he said during the vigil in Accra on Saturday, August 8.
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah said that it will take a long time to heal or recover from the shock following the tragic helicopter accident that claimed eight lives.
He says that following the crash, several questions have been asked.
“Perhaps it will take a long while to forget or heal these scars, but I am sure on this day our comedians will be urging us to wipe our tears, they will be telling us to remain united as a people and a nation,” he said during the vigil in Accra on Saturday, August 9.
He says over the past three days, they have asked why them, why this way, and why now?
He said,”This time reminds us of the spirit of oneness, the spirit we have shown and continue to show across the divide
“Over three days, we have asked the question in self-doubt, we have questioned our faith and dared to ask, why them, why now and why this way? Our hearts continue to bleed.”
For his part, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications, said the tragic death of the eight persons in the helicopter crash should galvanise everyone to work harder for Ghana.
He added that their legacies should inspire all to serve.
“Let us never forget the price they paid in the line of duty, and may their legacy inspire us to uphold the ideals of service,” he also said during the vigil on Saturday, August 9.
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, first announced on Wednesday, August 6, that Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah was among those who died in the crash. Also on board were Minister for Environment Murtala Mohammed, former Ashanti Regional Minister Samuel Sarpong, Muniru Mohammed (Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator), and Samuel Aboagye, a former Member of Parliament and Vice Chairman of the NDC.
The crew members were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) confirmed in a statement that the helicopter, which took off from Accra and was headed to Obuasi, went off the radar before crashing on Wednesday, August 6.
Eyewitnesses told Onua TV that the aircraft burned beyond recognition.
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