Mahama calls for national unity, renewal following helicopter crash

President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to Ghanaians to transform the collective grief from the August 6 military helicopter crash into a renewed commitment to national growth and resilience.

Honouring the memory of the eight government officials who perished in the tragedy, the President described them as dedicated public servants whose devotion to Ghana’s progress should inspire unity and determination to build a stronger future.

Speaking at the Evening of Reflections and Memorial held at the Forecourt of the State House on August 9, President Mahama urged the nation to move beyond sorrow and channel the pain into purposeful action for development.

“We’re truly one seamless unified family, and therefore we must not only mourn as one, but commit to healing as one,” he said. “Their sacrifices, though painful beyond measure, serve as a powerful reminder of the profound work that needs to be done for Ghana. They wouldn’t want us to be paralyzed by grief. They would be the first to urge us to pick up the mantle to channel our sorrow into renewed determination to get the work done. This is the spirit behind the resetting agenda.”

The memorial, part of the three-day national mourning period, paid tribute to Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and six others who lost their lives when the helicopter went down in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.

A state funeral for all victims will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square, where Ghanaians will gather to honour their service and lasting contributions to the nation’s development.