President John Dramani Mahama has urged Ghanaians to use the tragic loss of the eight public officials and military officers in the helicopter crash as an opportunity to foster national unity and development.
The President has called on the citizenry to channel their sorrow into a moment of reflection, emphasising the importance of building a unified nation for progress.
Speaking at an Evening of Reflections and Memorial held at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra Saturday, August 9, 2025, John Mahama expressed his deep personal sorrow for the eight victims who lost their lives in the crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti region.
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“These were more than just names in news reports,” he said. “They were dedicated public servants, united by their commitment to Ghana’s success.”
According to him, the tragic loss of the eight should serve as a poignant reminder of the critical work that remains to be done in building a formidable nation, while calling on everyone to embrace the responsibility to heal and move forward.
“We come together not as divided factions but as one family,” Mahama said. “This tragedy reminds us how fragile life is and how crucial it is for us to stand united in the face of loss.”
Honouring the victims, military officers, politicians, and civil servants, he stressed on the broad impact of their service to the nation.
Naming the victims, including Flight Officer Chumam Pedu, Squadron Leader Peter Anala, and Dr Ibrahim Murtala, MP for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, among others, paying tribute to their dedication and sacrifice.
Their deaths, he said, “call on us all to renew our dedication to building the Ghana they envisioned: a nation of justice, opportunity, and prosperity for all.”
The President advised the public to desist from apportioning blames at this time, warning it could breed division. He stressed on the need to focus on the facts and prevention.
Referencing a recent tragic accident that claimed the lives of 15 young church members, he highlighted the recurring challenges Ghana faces and the resilience required to overcome them.
“As we mourn, let us commit ourselves to healing and rebuilding,” he urged. “Let their memories inspire us to act with courage, innovation, and shared purpose.”
With the official three-day national mourning ending on Saturday, the President announced the burial of the victims and the nation’s support to the bereaved families.
In his conclusion, President Mahama quoted a poem by Professor Kofi Awoonor, envisioning a journey for the departed souls as a peaceful one with an encouragement of the public to honour the legacy of the deceased.
“May this moment of sorrow unite us in a common resolve to build a stronger Ghana,” he said.
Helicopter crash: It’s our sacred duty to continue the service to build Ghana – Mahama
