Government announces activities to mark first anniversary of August 6 helicopter crash

The government has outlined a series of national events to commemorate the first anniversary of the August 6, 2025 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight senior government officials and security personnel.

The programme, announced in a statement issued on Thursday, July 30, by the Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, is intended to honour the memory, service and sacrifice of the victims, collectively referred to as the "Departed Eight."

According to the statement, the commemorative activities are being organised by the government in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, key stakeholders, alumni groups and the families of the deceased.

The observance will begin on Thursday, July 30, with the presentation of the government's support package to the bereaved families.

On Tuesday, August 4, the Ministry of Defence, in partnership with the Pope John Senior High School Old Boys Association (POJOBA), will host the Dr Edward Omane Boamah Memorial Lecture at Burma Hall, Burma Camp, at 2:00 p.m. The lecture will be open to the public.

A National Inter-Faith Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, August 6, at the UPSA Auditorium in Madina, Accra, starting at 8:30 a.m. The service is expected to be attended by President John Dramani Mahama, Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who chairs the Armed Forces Council.

Later that day, at 4:00 p.m., the Ministry of Defence will unveil a memorial cenotaph in honour of the victims. The unveiling ceremony will be by invitation only.

The commemorative activities will conclude on Saturday, August 7, with the "Service to the Soul" Nationwide Blood Donation Drive, to be held at district, regional and teaching hospitals, the 37 Military Hospital and other designated centres across the country.

According to the government, the nationwide blood donation exercise is aimed at replenishing blood stocks while preserving the memory of those who lost their lives in the crash.

Describing the tragedy as one of Ghana's darkest moments, the government called on citizens, civil society organisations, religious bodies, media institutions and the general public to participate in the anniversary events and support the blood donation campaign.

“The loss of these eight noble individuals remains a deeply painful chapter in our nation’s history. However, their spirit of dedication to duty must continue to inspire us as a people,” the statement said.

The victims were travelling from Accra to the Ashanti Region on official duty when the Ghana Air Force helicopter carrying them crashed in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region.

Those who lost their lives included Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, NDC National Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and three members of the flight crew.

The government said the anniversary programme is intended to preserve the legacy of the victims while reaffirming its commitment to supporting their families.