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It’s all tears …as hundreds bid farewell to helicopter crash victims
Tears, uncontrollable tears, yesterday flooded the Black Star Square where mourners across the country bade farewell to casualties of the ill-famed Wednesday, August 6, helicopter crash that dimmed the lights of eight on board.
On board the Z9 helicopter on a government mission to Obuasi were the Defense Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, MP, Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru, the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and a former Minister for Food and Agriculture.
Others were Dr Samuel Sarpong, the Second National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Samuel Aboagye, a former NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the Obuasi East Constituency, Squadron Leader, Peter Anala, Flying Officer, Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The scene at the Square suggested the event occurred just the previous day as mourners, mostly cladded in black, wept hysterically over the loss of the eight in such tragic manner.
President John Dramani Mahama led a strong government delegation that included his Vice, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
Also in attendance were family members of the deceased, Ministers, Members of Parliament, the clergies, traditional authorities and sympathisers with glowing tributes flowing from the various functionaries.
Yesterday’s solemn ceremony was preceded by several events geared at giving the victims a ceremonies befitting of heroes.
Moments after the incident was confirmed, a three-day state of mourning was declared with a directive for all flags to fly at half-mast.
Following that was a wreath and flower laying ceremony opened at the seat of government, the Flag Staff House, in Accra as President Mahama led top government officials to pay tributes.
The three-day national day of mourning ended with a ‘Night of Memorial and Reflections’ on Saturday at the forecourt of the State House.
That event also attracted Ghanaians from all walks of life to mourn and pay tributes to honour the eight individuals who lost their lives in the Adansi-Akrofuom helicopter crash.
That also had the President, John Dramani Mahama and his Vice President, Prof Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman, President of Sierra Leone, Dr Julius Maada Bio, representatives from ECOWAS, ex-president John Agyekum Kuffour, ex Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and government officials in attendance.
Two of the victims, Dr Murtala and Alhaji Muniru were, however, buried on Sunday at the Military Cemetery, Accra, in line with Islamic tradition.
In the wake of the disaster, responsible and compassionate journalism have dominated conversations on the incident, reports Esinam Kuatsinu Jemima.
Few hours after the incident, social media was inundated with unregulated videos and images from the crash site.
That resulted in calls on media houses, freelancers and bloggers to put a stop to the practice.
Leading the calls were the National Media Commission (NMC) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to uphold the highest ethical standards in the coverage of the tragedy.
They condemned the circulation of gory images and videos from the crash site, describing such acts as insensitive and disrespectful to the deceased and their families, and a breach of journalistic ethics.
Citing Print Media Guidelines on grief and the GJA’s Code of Ethics – particularly Articles 12 and 16, the NMC reminded the media to rely on facts, exercise diplomacy, and treat bereavement with compassion and sensitivity.
“Such distressing content can deepen the pain of the bereaved,” the Commission warned.
The GJA echoed this sentiment, entreating media practitioners across all platforms to be ethical, circumspect, and sensitive in their reportage.
“We must honour the memory of the departed by treating this incident with the dignity and respect the deceased deserve,” the Association stated.
In its statement, the GJA described the victims as “gallant servants of the nation” who were on a mission to address the critical challenge of illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) when the tragedy struck.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) also cautioned the public and media against spreading unverified claims about the crash.
In a statement, the GAF condemned ‘speculative and unsubstantiated commentaries’ surrounding the tragedy, urging journalists, bloggers and commentators to be ‘circumspect’ in their reportage out of respect for the victims and their families.
“Any purported conclusions based on opinions, perceptions and conjectures will be premature and misleading,” it stressed, adding that thorough investigations backed by international collaborations were underway to determine the cause.
The Tobinco Group of Companies, in a statement signed by Executive Chairman, Nana Samuel Amo Tobbin I, described the incident as a “chilling and devastating happening” and “a colossal loss to the entire country.”
He extended condolences to President John Dramani Mahama, members of government, the bereaved families, and the nation, praying for divine comfort in this “time of national disaster.”
“This is an extremely unfortunate and colossal loss to the entire country, as these vibrant men who were on a national assignment held great value to the nation and its development,” Nana Tobbin I said, adding, “May the gentle souls of our gallant compatriots rest in perfect peace.”
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) also expressed its profound sorrow following the incident in a statement signed by its national president, Mrs Efua Ghartey.
The Association extended heartfelt condolences to the people of Ghana, particularly the bereaved families, praying for divine comfort in their time of grief.
MTN Ghana called on citizens to honour the memories of the deceased with dignity and respect, and to use social media platforms to promote hope, unity, and compassion during this difficult period.
Describing the incident as a national tragedy, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MTN, Stephen Blewett, said the deaths have deeply saddened the company and extended condolences to the President, government, and people of Ghana.
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), led by former Liberian President and Patron, Ms Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, also expressed deep sorrow over the crash.
The Network, along with its Ghana National Chapter, conveyed heartfelt condolences to President John Dramani Mahama, the bereaved families, and the nation, praying for the peaceful repose of the souls lost.
Similarly, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, through its Secretary-General, Mr Wamkele Mene, sent a message of condolence to the President, Government, and people of Ghana.
The Secretariat expressed solidarity with the Ghana Armed Forces during the national mourning, with Mr Mene stating, “We mourn alongside the people of Ghana… May those who lost their lives be remembered with honour, and may they rest in peace.”
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has accepted an apology from the Minority leader in Parliament following allegations of corruption in the recruitment process of the security services.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, he indicated that the accusations were painful because they portrayed his actions in a way that suggested criminal wrongdoing.
“It is painful to be wrongly accused or for your actions to be misconstrued and labelled differently from your intention, especially when it is linked with criminality and serious wrongdoing,” he stated.
Mr Mubarak noted that although he was deeply hurt and worried by the allegations, he had decided to accept the apology wholeheartedly.
According to him, the issue should guide members of the House and public officials to focus on ensuring that the right things are done without attempting to destroy one another.
He assured the Minority that the Interior Ministry and the various security service commanders remain committed to transparency and accountability in their work.
The Minister added that the ministry would be ready to address any concerns raised by the Minority or other members of Parliament regarding recruitment into the security services.
He further appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to consider expunging from the parliamentary records the false comments.
Mr Mubarak expressed appreciation to the Speaker for handling the matter and emphasised the need for cooperation among members of Parliament to ensure fairness and proper oversight.
By: Jacob Aggrey
THE Gospel Advocates (TGA), a non-denominational evangelistic Christian organisation last Saturday donated a number of educational logistics to the Dodi Asantekrom Basic School in the Eastern region of Ghana.
The gesture was to mark the seventh anniversary of the organisation made up of professionals committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to students in senior high schools, particularly in rural communities.
TGA also seeks to inspire students towards attaining academic excellence and guiding them towards optimising the various learning opportunities and academic programmes available at the tertiary level.
Among the items donated were 100 desks, 10 cupboards, 10 desktop computers, two laptops, 10 teachers’ tables and chairs and others.
The group also held its annual outreach programme that had a significant impact in the community through initiatives such as feeding 500 children with hot meals and assorted drinks, providing free medical screening and drugs for 500 adults and youth and conducting health education and sensitisation for both children and adults.
TGA also took upon itself to restock the community clinic with essential medicines and distributed food items, plastic bowls, cups and clothing to members of the community.
The initiative, according to officials of the group, was supported by ORSAM Limited, Doctors Save Lives Foundation, Johnson Tord Foundation, El-Shaddai Mothercare, Exceed Alliance Limited, GB Foods Ghana Limited, Qualiplast Limited, Phyto-Riker (Gihoc) Pharmaceuticals Limited, Cosa Bright Ghana, Kabs Pharmacy, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Pill Bay Pharmacy and Bamah 3.7.7.
“We are deeply grateful for their immense support and partnership in bringing hope, relief, and practical assistance to the people of Dodi Asantekrom,” the officials said.
In a statement, the President and Chairman of The Gospel Advocates, Mr. Selom Kpikpitse, said the donation to Dodi Asantekrom forms part of TGA’s broader mission to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ among students and youth in rural communities through teachings, music and arts.
He explained that the meals provided to over 500 pupils were in line with the organization’s annual “Feed the Kidz Project,” which demonstrates Christ’s love.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Mr. Otumfour Newton, expressed gratitude to TGA and its sponsors, saying that “the items would significantly enhance teaching and learning while improving the overall welfare and development of the pupils.”
Mr. Newton also commended the team for the free medical screenings for adults and youth in the community, and other community engagements.
Medical supplies were also donated to the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS compound and received on behalf of the facility by Mr. Amefu, a Physician Assistant.
By Spectator Reporter
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