Mahama Thanks Nation, Prays for Closure as Fallen Helicopter Crash Victims Receive Final Honours

By Joylinda Laryea / 15 August, 2025

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed heartfelt gratitude to Ghanaians and international partners for their support and solidarity following the tragic military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including that of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah.

Speaking at a state funeral held on Friday, August 15, at Black Star Square in Accra, President Mahama said he hoped the ceremony would bring healing and closure to a grieving nation.

“I pray that this funeral will bring closure to a grieving nation and that a new dawn will break in which we can look forward with pride as Ghanaians to a prosperous nation,” the President stated. “We pray that this will be the beginning as the Almighty God heals our land.”

As part of national efforts to honour the fallen, President Mahama announced posthumous promotions for the three Ghana Armed Forces personnel who perished in the crash:

• Squadron Leader Peter Obafemi Anala has been promoted to Wing Commander.

• Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu is now Flight Lieutenant.

• Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah has been promoted to Flight Sergeant.

“These promotions are not merely symbolic,” the President emphasized. “They are the highest mark of respect for duty performed even until death and reflect the rightful place these officers have earned in our history.”

He added that the Chief of Defence Staff will formally present the new ranks and insignias to the families of the officers, and that all benefits due them will be calculated in accordance with their new ranks.

President Mahama also noted that posthumous recognition will be extended to the civilian victims of the crash during the next National Mourners’ Ceremony.

The crash occurred on August 6, 2025, when a Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter crashed at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region. The delegation was en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Community and Cooperative Mining Programme.

The eight individuals who lost their lives were:

• Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence

• Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation

• Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate

• Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC

• Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator

• Squadron Leader Peter Obafemi Anala

• Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu

• Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah

Friday’s state funeral was attended by top government officials, the military high command, bereaved families, and mourners from across the country. The victims were buried with full military honours at the Military Cemetery in Tse Addo.