President John Dramani Mahama has declared three days of national mourning following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight individuals, including two cabinet ministers.
The announcement comes in the wake of Wednesday’s devastating incident involving a Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter that went off radar shortly after takeoff from Accra en route to Obuasi.
In a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, President Mahama expressed profound grief over the national tragedy and announced the immediate suspension of all official engagements and public appearances for the rest of the week.
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“Out of respect for the lives lost and in honour of their service to the nation, the President has declared three days of national mourning, beginning Thursday, August 7. All national flags are to fly at half-mast during this period,” the statement said.
Among the deceased were Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence, and Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation. Six other passengers, including military personnel and crew members, also perished in the crash.
The cause of the crash is yet to be determined, and investigations have been launched by the Ghana Armed Forces in collaboration with relevant aviation authorities.
Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in from political parties, civil society, and international partners, all united in grief over the nation’s loss.