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Kennedy Agyapong, a flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has urged Ghanaians to allow the government to spend when it comes to buying aircraft.
The former lawmaker noted that the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) helicopter that crashed was approved during former president Kufuor’s time.
According to Kennedy Agyapong, Ghanaians must allow the government to spend when the aircraft are old, for the state to get new ones to avoid further tragic incidents.
Speaking at the state funeral on August 15, 2025, Kennedy Agyapong stated, “I want to take this opportunity to console the bereaved families, but sometimes, the nation needs to understand when the state spends money on certain things”.
“Whenever the government decides on a project, Ghanaians start criticising. But where the government spends in a way that will help the nation, we should all agree and support it”.
The former Assin Central lawmaker added, “If the aircraft are old, then we need to get new ones…so sometimes we have to understand when the state spends money on certain things; this helicopter was approved during President Kufuor’s time. It was two, but they criticised it and we had the courage to go for one”.
Also, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has called on all political actors to stop playing politics with the procurement of presidential planes and helicopters.
According to the Asantehene, lives are at stake, and Ghana must ensure the safety and efficiency of the president and its personnel in the security service.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II made this known when the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace following last week’s tragic helicopter crash.
He described the incident as a national concern and further expressed deep sympathy to President John Mahama and the bereaved families.
The Asantehene stated, “Enough of the politicising of the purchase of presidential planes and helicopters. Human lives are at stake here. We must invest to safeguard their safety and efficiency”.
He further noted that most of the military aircraft currently in use are not in good condition.
He emphasised the need for investment in modern and reliable alternatives.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II further urged all political divides to come together to address Ghana’s aviation and security logistics challenges.
Sadly, 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.
The victims lost their lives en route to the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) in Obuasi on August 6, 2025.
Meanwhile, Ghana, on August 15, 2025, laid to rest the remaining six of the eight victims of the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash.
The solemn state funeral was held at the Black Star Square in Accra.
Watch the video below: