Sierra Leone’s President in Ghana to mourn Helicopter crash victims
Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, has arrived in Ghana to commiserate with President John Dramani Mahama and the Ghanaian people following Wednesday’s tragic military helicopter crash that has plunged the nation into mourning.
His visit on Friday, August 8, was a gesture of solidarity as Ghana grapples with the devastating loss of senior government officials and military personnel.
The crash occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, claiming the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
Other victims include Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC; and three military crew members — Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Preliminary reports indicate the officials were aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi when it lost contact with air traffic control and went off radar.
A state funeral is scheduled for Friday, August 15, to honour the fallen. Due to the condition of the bodies, samples of the remains have been flown to South Africa for DNA testing to aid in identification.
President Maada Bio’s visit adds to the growing wave of regional and international sympathy and support for Ghana during this period of national sorrow.
