President John Dramani Mahama led a moment of silence in honour of the eight Ghanaian heroes who died in the tragic helicopter crash last year.
The President and everyone present remembered them as colleagues who had shared in the journey of this administration but were no longer alive to witness its progress.
Speaking at a national non-denominational thanksgiving service held at the Jubilee House in Accra on January 7, 2026, President Mahama recalled the events of his inauguration a year earlier and the loss that followed months later.
“A year ago today we were gathered at the black star square with the excitement to swear the oath of office to take over the reigns of government of this dear country of ours.”
“There were some colleagues of ours who shared in that excitement who today are not with us. And so in honour of the memories of our revered colleagues; Omane Boamah, Murtala Mohammed, Samuel Sarpong, Samuel Aboagye, Muniru Limuna and our 3 Military servicemen, I’ll ask that we all rise and observe a moment of silence in their memory.”
The eight individuals lost their lives on August 6, 2025, when a Ghana Air Force Z-9 military helicopter crashed near Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region.
Those who died included the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah; the Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology and Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed; and the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna.
Also killed in the crash were Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress and former Ashanti Regional Minister; Mr. Samuel Aboagye, former National Democratic Congress Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East and Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation; as well as three military officers; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
“We embarked on this journey together, but Hod had other plans for them. May they gain peaceful repose in the bosom of the Lord,” President Mahama said after the moment of silence.
The thanksgiving service marked President Mahama’s first anniversary in office after his return to power, with political leaders, clergy, and invited guests gathered at the Foagstaff house to reflect on the past year and offer prayers for the nation.
