Asiedu Nketia recounts narrow escape from fatal helicopter crash

National Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has revealed that he narrowly escaped the helicopter crash that claimed eight lives.

The fatal crash included two government ministers and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman, Dr. Samuel Sarpong.

Mr. Nketia was originally scheduled to board the military helicopter en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Co-operative Mining and Skills Development Programme (COMSDEP).

However, in a last-minute decision, he delegated the assignment to Dr. Sarpong, who tragically died in the crash.

Speaking at the home of one of the bereaved families, Mr. Nketia expressed deep sorrow over the loss and described his survival as an act of divine intervention.

The accident occurred on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region. The victims included:

• Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah
• Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed
• NDC Vice Chairman, Dr. Samuel Sarpong
• Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed
• Former parliamentary candidate, Samuel Aboagye
• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
• Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
• Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah

“Allah does what He wants. I was supposed to be on the flight, and at the last minute, I directed my vice chairman, Dr. Sarpong, to go and represent the party, and he accepted it,” he said.

Reflecting on the tragedy, he added, “In your human ways, you may be thinking that if I had not sent Sarpong, maybe he would be alive. But who knows? God might have decided that if this was his time, he would be knocked down by a trotro in Accra. So, we don’t question what Allah wants to do. In all things, we give thanks to Him.”

The crash has left the nation in mourning and serves as a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability.