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Abdulazeez Abubakar
2 weeks ago
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Tinubu consoles Ghana as copter crash claims two ministers, six others
President Bola Tinubu has expressed his condolences to President John Mahama, the government and people of Ghana, following the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Ghana’s Defence Minister, Edward Boamah, the Environment Minister, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six others.
The Ghanaian Presidency announced the incident hours after the armed forces reported that a chopper carrying three crew and five passengers had dropped off the radar.
Among the other victims were Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, who was Ghana’s Deputy National Security Coordinator and former agriculture minister, and the Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Samuel Sarpong.
In a press statement on Wednesday, signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President prayed for the peaceful repose of the departed souls and strength for those left behind.
The statement said, “President Tinubu assures President Mahama and all Ghanaians that the thoughts and prayers of the government and people of Nigeria are with them during this time of profound national loss.
“The President urges the Ghanaian nation and the bereaved families and friends to find comfort in the knowledge that their loved ones died in the line of patriotic service to the country.
“He prays for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed and strength for those left behind.”
The crash threw Ghana into mourning as the eight passengers of the ill-fated helicopter, including three crew members, died in the crash.
The Ghanaian Armed Forces earlier reported that the air force helicopter went missing from radar shortly after taking off from Accra at around 9:00 am. The aircraft was en route to the town of Obuasi, northwest of the capital, AFP reported.
“The President and government extend our condolences and sympathies to the families of our comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country,” said President John Mahama’s Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah.
Boamah had been appointed defence minister earlier this year following Mahama’s swearing-in in January.
A medical doctor by training, Boamah previously served as communications minister during Mahama’s 2012–2017 administration, and earlier as deputy minister for environment.
Boamah’s leadership came at a time of growing regional insecurity, particularly from jihadist threats spilling over from Burkina Faso.
AFP reports that although Ghana has thus far avoided the violent insurgencies plaguing its neighbours, analysts have raised concerns about arms trafficking and militant incursions across the porous northern border.
Muhammed had been serving as minister for environment, science and technology.
The Presidency noted that Boamah had recently led a delegation to Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, in May, as part of Ghana’s efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with Sahel countries governed by military juntas.
Boamah had also been preparing to publish a book titled “A Peaceful Man in an African Democracy,” a tribute to former President John Atta Mills, who died in office in 2012.
In the aftermath of the crash, Mahama cancelled his scheduled official engagements and ordered all national flags to be flown at half-staff in honour of the deceased.
https://punchng.com/tinubu-consoles-ghana-as-copter-crash-claims-two-ministers-six-others/
