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Airforce helicopter crash: Rev Wengam recounts events that led to change in president’s travel plans
The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, Rev. Dr. Stephen Yenusom Wengam, has narrated how prayers and intervention altered President John Dramani Mahama’s travel schedule days before the Ghana Air Force helicopter crash that killed eight people, including two cabinet ministers.
Speaking during a church service, Rev. Wengam said the president’s secretary had informed him last week that the president would not be able to attend a planned programme because he had been invited to Côte d’Ivoire as a special guest of honour for the country’s independence celebration.
According to him, the vice-president and his wife had been asked to represent him instead.
Rev. Wengam said he a colleague Rev. minister refused to accept the change and asked him to mobilise the church’s prayer team to “reverse” the decision.
He added that the First Lady later called him, expressed displeasure at the president’s plan and urged him not to agree to it.
He explained that after further discussions, the First Lady later informed him that the president would attend the programme on Wednesday and travel to Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday.
This change, he noted, meant the president avoided travelling on the day before the fatal crash.
The Assemblies of God leader used the incident to urge pastors to remain prayerful and prophetic, warning that inconsistent prayer could cause them to miss signs of critical events
He said it was ultimately God who worked through people to will and act according to His purpose.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
President Mahama thanks Ghanaians for support after helicopter crash tragedy
President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and the government have expressed deep gratitude to Ghanaians and the international community for the support shown following the helicopter crash of August 6, which claimed eight lives, including two ministers of state.
In a message issued by the Presidency on Monday, the President said the nation was moved by the outpouring of condolences, solidarity, and practical assistance offered during the period of mourning.
He noted that the sympathy messages, attendance at the state funeral, and acts of kindness towards the bereaved families brought comfort in a difficult time.
The statement commended individuals, security personnel, and corporate organisations that worked to ensure that the victims were given what it described as a “dignified and befitting Ghanaian burial.”
“As we return to the duties of resetting Ghana and building the Ghana we want, let us remain united in prayer, comfort one another, and continue to support the families affected by this tragedy,” the statement said.
The President in the statement prayed for the souls of the departed to rest in eternal peace.
Following the conclusion of the state funeral and the burial of all eight victims, the Chief of Staff has directed that flags at public buildings, which had been flown at half-mast in mourning, be restored to full mast with immediate effect.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
President Mahama grants 998 prisoners amnesty
President John Dramani Mahama has granted amnesty to 998 prisoners serving various jail terms across prisons in the country.
The gesture is upon the recommendation of the Prisons Service Council and in consultation with the Council of State and in accordance with Article 72(1) of the Constitution.
A statement issued by the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, in Accra yesterday said the number is out of a total of 1,014 recommended.
Per the statement, 87 persons who were sentenced to death will now be commuted to life imprisonment whiles 51 prisoners who were on life sentence will now have to serve 20 years.
First time offenders to be granted pardon are 787, seriously ill, 33, over 70 years irrespective of offence 36, nursing mothers, 2 and petitions, 2.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
