The government of Ghana held a solemn wreath-laying ceremony on Thursday, August 7, at the Jubilee House.
The wreath-laying ceremony was in honour of the eight victims of the recent military helicopter crash that devastated the nation.
It was part of Ghana’s three-day national mourning period.
The event took place at the Ceremonial Garden in front of the Presidency.
President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman and other Senior government officials, Senior NDC members, family members of the deceased, military personnel, and members of the public, all united in grief and remembrance.
Wreaths were laid, and a quiet respect settled over the grounds, reflecting the deep loss.
The three-day national mourning will end on Saturday, 9 August, with an Evening of Reflections and Memorials at the State House.
Ghana lost eight people, including Dr Omane Boamah and Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, two cabinet members who passed away following a helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6.
The helicopter was carrying eight individuals, including three crew members and five passengers, among them the ministers, a presidential staffer identified as Samuel Sarpong, and the ministers’ security detail.
Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, and Samuel Aboagye, a former Parliamentary Candidate, and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of NDC, have all been confirmed dead.
The crew members are Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced some interim ministerial appointments following the death of Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.
The Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, in a statement, announced that Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson to assume additional responsibility as Minister for Defence with immediate effect.
Also, Hon. Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has been appointed to act as interim Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, on Wednesday night received the remains of the eight who died in the tragic military hospital.
Their bodies were received at the Air Force Base in Accra.
President John Mahama has also announced a three-day national mourning period.
Additionally, the Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) has called for an independent and transparent investigation.
On Thursday, August 7, 2025, the Bureau of Public Safety issued a statement labelling the issue as a national tragedy.
The Bureau of Public Safety called on the government to go beyond internal inquiries and thoroughly investigate the accident.
The statement read, “The tragedy calls not only for empathy but for a credible, evidence-based investigation and transparent communication”.
“This is a moment that calls for national unity, truth, and action. The lessons we draw from this tragedy must lead to stronger safety systems and enhanced operational accountability—both in our skies and on the ground.”
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