Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has paid a visit to President John Dramani Mahama to express condolences over the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of two ministers of state and six other senior government officials and military personnel. The visit, which took place at the President’s residence, was described as a gesture of solidarity and statesmanship.
Vice President Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who was present at the meeting, posted about the encounter on her X account on Friday, August 8. She wrote that she joined the President, First Lady Lordina Mahama, and other government officials to receive the former President and thank him for his thoughtful gesture.
Mr. Kufuor, who has called for national support for the incumbent president during this period of grief, acknowledged that serving in public office comes with risks, citing the recent tragedy as an example. He also recalled his own near-death experience in 2007, when he narrowly escaped a plane crash while travelling from Libya to Khartoum in Sudan during his presidency.
The crash, which occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, killed Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC; Mr. Samuel Aboagye, former Member of Parliament; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
According to preliminary reports, the helicopter, which was on an anti-illegal mining mission from Accra to Obuasi, may have gone down due to mechanical failure or poor weather conditions. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be confirmed as investigations are ongoing.
In response to the disaster, President Mahama has declared three days of national mourning. He has also appointed Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson as Acting Minister for Defence, and the Lands and Natural Resources Minister as Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, until substantive replacements are named.
