It was an atmosphere of mixed feelings as heavy cloud of grief and profound gratitude hung over the Kofi Ohene-Konadu Auditorium at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) this morning, as Ghana organised National Inter-Faith Memorial Service exactly one year since the catastrophic military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight distinguished national figures.
Dressed in black and white, President John Mahama led a high-powered state delegation, including Vice President, Professor Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the Speaker of the Parliament, military top chiefs and grieving family members to the memorial service organised in honour of the departed heroes.
The inter-faith service, which brought together Christian, Islamic and traditional religious leaders, served as a platform for corporate national prayer, scripture readings, and emotional tributes aimed at honoring the legacies of the “Departed Eight”.
It would be recalled that the tragedy occurred on the morning of Wednesday, August 6th, 2025, when a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9EH helicopter, carrying a high-level delegation to launch a state anti-galamsey initiative, crashed in the Dampia Range.
The incident resulted in the tragic death of all eight individuals on board, and the day is now etched into Ghanaian history as one of its darkest aviation disasters.
The victims of the crash included:
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed – Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (and MP for Tamale Central)
Alhaji Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
Dr. Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of the NDC
Samuel Aboagye – Former Parliamentary Candidate
Sqn. Leader Peter Bafemi Anala – Air Force CrewFlying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu – Air Force
CrewSgt. Ernest Addo Mensah – Air Force Crew
An investigation by the Ghana Armed Forces and international partners concluded that severe weather, including sudden, poor visibility, caused the aircraft to go down.
The report cleared the crew of mechanical error and highlighted the impact of turbulent, localized weather in the forest zone.
While delivering his speech at the inter-faith memorial service, President Mahama confirmed that significant state and corporate compensation, including educational trust funds and health insurance has been provided to the families.
The President pledged continued support for the families of the victims emphasizing national gratitude and assuring families of ongoing state support.
He added that the key support measures included over GH¢13 million in civilian compensation, educational trust funds of GH¢1 million per child, fixed deposits for adult dependents, and comprehensive medical coverage.
The representatives of the families could not hold their emotions as they poured tributes and encomiums on their departed loved ones