The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has joined the nation in mourning the eight Ghanaians who died in a military helicopter crash a year ago, while calling on the government to provide a clear account of progress in the fight against illegal mining.
In a statement issued on the first anniversary of the tragedy, the party recalled that on 6 August 2025 a military helicopter en route to Obuasi crashed in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region.
All eight people on board lost their lives: Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah; Environment, Science and Technology Minister Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed; Dr Samuel Sarpong; Mr Samuel Aboagye; and the three Ghana Armed Forces crew members.
The NPP said it fully supports the week of remembrance activities, including the memorial lecture, national memorial service, unveiling of a cenotaph and the nationwide blood donation exercise.
“Grief has no party colours,” the statement declared. The party stressed that the deaths were a loss to the entire Republic and that the bereaved families’ pain is Ghana’s pain. It encouraged Ghanaians to take part in the blood donation exercise as a fitting tribute.
The party noted that the victims were travelling to support the national campaign against illegal mining (galamsey) and the destruction of lands and rivers. “They did not die at rest. They died at work, in pursuit of a cause the whole nation has declared urgent,” it said.
Commemoration alone is not enough, the NPP argued. The truest tribute, it said, is tangible results in the fight for which the eight gave their lives. One year on, the government owes the nation an account of the gains made.
The party called on the government to answer key questions with evidence this week: the current state of rivers and water bodies compared to a year ago, and how many forest reserves remain under assault versus how many have been reclaimed.
It also demanded a full update on the official investigation into the crash, including findings, safety recommendations and measures taken to prevent a similar tragedy.
“Remembrance is not a ceremony but a duty,” the statement concluded. The NPP pledged to keep questions on the galamsey fight and accountability before Parliament and the nation until answers are provided.
The statement was signed by NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong.
