'We remain grateful for the enduring legacies they left behind' — Families of helicopter crash victims
The family of the late Defence Minister, Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, says it remains grateful to God for granting strength, comfort and hope in the year since the military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight people.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families at the National Inter-Faith Memorial Service held on Thursday, August 6, family representative Charles Ohene Oti reflected on the pain of the past year, describing it as a period of profound grief.
Despite the loss, he said the families had found strength through God's grace and remained thankful for the lives, service and enduring legacy of their departed loved ones.
“While the past year has been marked by deep grief and loss, God has sustained us with strength, comfort and hope,” he said.
Mr Ohene Oti noted that although the families continue to mourn the loss of their fathers, husbands, sons and brothers, they take solace in the sacrifices the deceased made in service to the nation.
“Though we deeply miss our beloved fathers, husbands, sons and brothers, we remain grateful for the lives they lived, the service they rendered to Ghana, and the enduring legacies they left behind,” he stated.
He also expressed appreciation to the country's religious leaders for the spiritual support they have provided to the bereaved families since the tragedy.
“We are also grateful to the Reverend Ministers, Imams and all religious leaders leading today's interfaith Memorial Service. Your prayers, spiritual guidance and support have been a source of comfort to our families throughout this difficult journey,” he added.
The memorial service marked the first anniversary of the Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter crash that occurred on August 6, 2025, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region while the aircraft was on an official flight from Accra to the Ashanti Region.
The crash claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah; Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed; former Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Samuel Sarpong; former National Democratic Congress parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; as well as three Ghana Armed Forces personnel—Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.