On August 6, last year, Ghana was shocked to hear of a helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight distinguished public servants in the Adansi Akrofuom area of the Ashanti Region. One year later, President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to preserve the memory of the departed by embracing the values of sacrifice, patriotism, and selfless service.
Honoring the Fallen
President Mahama made the call at the National Inter-Faith Memorial Service held in Accra on Thursday, August 8, to mark one year since the tragic accident. He described the occasion as a solemn reminder that a grateful nation must never forget those who served it with distinction. "Today is one of those days when a nation deliberately slows its pace, not because history demands it, but because memory does," he said.
The memorial honored eight public servants who died when a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter crashed while on an official assignment to Obuasi. The victims included Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and Member of Parliament for Tamale Central; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr Samuel Sarpong, National Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO); Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, pilot of the aircraft; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, co-pilot; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, aircraft technician with the Ghana Air Force.
A Nation's Commitment
President Mahama described the victims as patriotic Ghanaians from different professional backgrounds who were united by a common commitment to serving the country. "The Ghanaians we honour today came from diverse backgrounds and professions. They had different dreams, different personalities and different stories. Yet they were united by one common purpose: they answered the call to serve God and country," he said.
The President warned that any country that forgets those who served it risks losing sight of the values upon which it is built. "Memory is not simply about looking backwards; it is an act of national character and values. It affirms that sacrifice matters, that service is honoured and that lives dedicated to the nation will never disappear into the shadows of history," he noted.
Appreciating Public Service
President Mahama also used the occasion to pay tribute to public servants across Ghana, observing that many make enormous personal sacrifices with little public recognition. He urged Ghanaians to appreciate the work of public servants while they are alive rather than waiting until after their deaths. "Too often, however, we celebrate such service only after tragedy strikes," he observed.
The President commended the families of the deceased for the courage and dignity they had shown throughout the past year. He acknowledged that no anniversary or memorial service could erase the pain of losing loved ones. "I know that no speech can erase your pain. No anniversary can fill the empty seat at your dining table. No ceremony can replace the voices you long to hear or the embraces you still miss," he said.
A Nation's Unity
President Mahama also reflected on the national response to the disaster, describing it as evidence of Ghana's unity and compassion. He recalled how citizens from every part of the country, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity or religion, reached out to support the bereaved families through prayers, visits and messages of solidarity. "I have seen religious communities, traditional authorities, and civil society groups come together to show their support and solidarity," he said.
As Ghana marks one year since the helicopter crash, President Mahama's call to preserve the memory of the departed serves as a reminder of the nation's commitment to honoring those who gave their lives in service to Ghana. The nation's unity and compassion in the face of tragedy are a testament to the values of sacrifice, patriotism, and selfless service that defined the lives of the eight public servants who lost their lives in the crash.
Source: Joy Online
