Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, arrived in Ghana today to express his condolences to President John Dramani Mahama and the people of Ghana, following Wednesday’s tragic military helicopter crash that has plunged the nation into mourning.
The visit, described as a gesture of regional solidarity, comes as Ghana reels from the devastating loss of high-ranking government officials and military personnel in the crash that occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
Among the victims were Ghana’s Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. Also killed were Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); and three Ghana Armed Forces crew members — Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
According to preliminary reports, the officials were traveling aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi when the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control and vanished from radar.
A state funeral is scheduled for Friday, August 15, to honour the deceased. Due to the severe condition of the remains, DNA samples have been sent to South Africa to assist in identification.
President Bio’s visit underscores the outpouring of sympathy and support from across the West African region and the international community as Ghana navigates this national tragedy.
