Bawumia: Helicopter crash a ‘national tragedy’, not a partisan issue

 

Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has called for national unity and rejected any attempt to politicise the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight public officials on Wednesday, 6 August 2025, at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region.

Speaking after laying a wreath at the Ceremonial Gardens at Jubilee House on Friday, Dr Bawumia described the incident as a “national tragedy” that had plunged the country into mourning. He stressed that the loss affected every Ghanaian, regardless of political affiliation.

“Well, I think the grief comes to all Ghanaians. This is not just me or the NDC, it is all of us. This is a national tragedy. Eight public officials on official duty… had this tragic accident and they all lost their lives. This is not a partisan issue, it is a national tragedy. Regardless, you should expect full participation because it is our national duty to fully participate,” he said.

Dr Bawumia, who was accompanied by senior NPP figures including Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Akosua Manu, Hassan Tampuli and Mohammed Amin Adam, extended condolences to President John Dramani Mahama, the government, the Ghana Armed Forces and the bereaved families.

He revealed that he had visited three of the victims’ families earlier in the day and would continue his visits on Saturday. “Ghana is in mourning… this is personal to all Ghanaians and I just want to extend my condolences,” he noted.

Those who died in the crash included Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, NDC National Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, and former parliamentary candidate Mr Samuel Aboagye. The three Ghana Air Force officers who also perished were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flight Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

The officials were travelling to a national event linked to the launch of an alternative livelihood programme to combat illegal mining when the crash occurred.

The government has declared a three-day national mourning period, with a vigil and memorial service scheduled for Saturday, August 9. Samples of the victims’ remains have been flown to South Africa for DNA analysis to aid in their identification for burial.