Editorial
Fare thee well, condolences to families of helicopter crash victims
Ghanaians were struck with grief on August 6, 2025, as the news of the crash of the Ghana Air Force (GAF) helicopter Z-9 at Adansi-Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region spread like wildfire moments after the incident occurred.
The helicopter, which crashed into a forested mountainside resulted in the death of eight individuals, including two government ministers and other prominent figures who were en route to Obuasi for an event about fighting illegal mining.
Anyone who heard the news reacted with shock, grief, and sombre reflection on the incident.
The victims were Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Defence Minister, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and Dr Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and a former Minister for Food and Agriculture.
Others are Dr Samuel Sarpong, Second National Vice Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a former Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Aboagye, Acting Deputy Director General in Charge of Relief and Protocol at the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and a former NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the Obuasi East Constituency.
The rest are Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Pilot, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, Co-Pilot and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, Crew member.
Following the crash which was so devastating, the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama declared three days of national mourning, and flags were ordered to be flown at half-mast.
The event themed ‘Evening of Reflections and Memorial’ allowed the nation to grieve and also served as a time of remembrance and reflection for the nation.
Yesterday, a state funeral was held at the Black Star Square for the victims, two of whom were earlier interred on Sunday at the Military Cemetery according to Islamic tradition.
As usual, there was an outpouring of condolences and support for the families of the victims as Ghanaians and also international bodies mourned the loss of the victims. It was an emotional moment of grief as tears rolled down the cheeks of guests who were mostly clad in black.
The news was devastating but we want to assure the families of the victims that we are solidly behind them sharing in their pain. Our only consolation is that God knows best and he is a great comforter.
The Spectator, together with its cherished readers wish the widows, children, families of the victims and the entire nation our deepest condolences. We ask the Almighty God to strengthen, protect and provide for the widows and children left behind.
May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.
Adieu!!
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
