Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has urged Ghanaians to remain united, support one another, and give thanks to God even in times of deep loss, as the nation mourns the death of eight government officials in the August 6 military helicopter crash.
Speaking on Monday, August 11, during a visit to the family of the late Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed, a former Northern Regional Minister and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator who also perished in the accident, Mr. Bagbin described the tragedy as a shock not only to us in Ghana, but to the world.
“But the Almighty Allah gives to us. Now, of course, I should thank God for what has happened. You see, in all things, you give thanks to God,” he said, adding, “God knows best. God knows why this happened.”
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Mr. Bagbin, who worked closely with the late Alhaji Muniru during his tenure as Minister for Health, praised his dedication and professionalism. “To see me, you had to see him first, before you came to see me… Since then, he’s been very, very close to me, and sometimes, we always agreed to disagree.”
He recounted the late minister’s contributions in various portfolios, including Minister for Food and Agriculture, and his continued commitment to farming and public service even after leaving office.
The Speaker cautioned against divisive commentary and speculation over the tragedy. “People should not be saying what they are saying… Words that come out of our mouths are too powerful. They make and unmake everything in the world,” he stressed.
Emphasising unity in diversity, Mr. Bagbin said politics should bring people together, not divide them. “It’s God that created us different. And that is what politics is about – how you get that difference to work together in unity… not to divide us, not to let us hate each other.”
The Speaker extended his condolences to the families of the other victims, including Minister for Defence Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Air Force officers, and other officials who died in the crash. He urged Ghanaians to reflect on the legacy of the deceased.
He assured the bereaved family of Parliament’s full support. “I want to assure you once again that Parliament is with you, and we will do all we can to support each other until the Almighty Allah calls us back to Him.”
Mr. Bagbin also urged Ghanaians to heed spiritual guidance and draw lessons from the tragedy. “Please, once again, let us, in this grieving, not forget about the power of the Almighty God… We continue to thank Him for giving us these precious lives for the service they rendered to us.”