The family of Squadron Leader Peter Afemi Anala, one of the eight victims of last week’s fatal military helicopter crash, has praised President John Dramani Mahama for his empathy and leadership as the country mourns a national tragedy.
During a condolence visit by a government delegation to the family home in Jisonayili, Sagnarigu, Anala’s sister, Sophia Ayarik, acknowledged the emotional burden on the president.
“We understand the pressure on the president. Even as we are mourning an individual, he is mourning eight people,” she said. “So we understand the stress he is going through. But if he has been thoughtful enough to send you to come and commiserate with us, we are grateful.”
Squadron Leader Anala was part of the Ghana Air Force crew flying senior officials to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) when their helicopter crashed in Brofoyedru Sikaman in the Ashanti Region.
“We thank God for giving us an illustrious son, an illustrious brother, and an illustrious husband such as Peter,” Ayarik added.
The crash also claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former NDC parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and two other Air Force crew members — Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
A state funeral is scheduled for August 15, while investigations into the crash remain ongoing.
