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