The President of the Republic of Ghana and Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, John Dramani Mahama, has announced the posthumous promotions of the three military officers who lost their lives in the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash.

Speaking at the interfaith and interdenominational state burial held for the victims on Friday, August 15, 2025, President Mahama announced that he had approved the posthumous promotion of the three military officers to their next ranks.

“Promotions in our Armed Forces are never given lightly, and posthumous promotions are the highest mark of respect for duty performed, even unto death. Accordingly, I have approved the following: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala is promoted to the rank of Wing Commander. Flying Officer Manaen-Twum Ampadu is promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant. Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah is promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant.

"These are not just symbolic gestures. They represent the rightful place these officers have earned in our Republic’s roll of honor, and the benefits due to their families will be reflected in these new ranks. The Chief of the Defence Staff will oversee the ceremonial presentation of the posthumous promotion insignias to their families,” the president announced.

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President Mahama further announced that the five civilians who were also victims of the crash, including two ministers of his Cabinet, will also be recognised at the state’s next national honours.

“Other colleagues who were civilians will be posthumously recognized at the next national honors ceremony,” the president said.

As part of decisions taken to honour the deceased, President John Dramani Mahama also announced the creation of a Children’s Support Fund for the children of the victims of the crash.

“The purpose of this fund is clear: it is to ensure that the children left behind will never be deprived of their opportunities, care, and security that their parents worked so hard to provide for them. We Ghanaians live in a culture that upholds collective responsibility, especially where community and family are concerned,” President Mahama stated.

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On August 6, 2025, a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 military helicopter crashed into a forested mountainside in the Adansi Akrofuom District, Ashanti Region, killing all eight people on board. The helicopter was en route from Kotoka International Airport in Accra to Obuasi for an event focused on combating illegal mining.

The deceased include Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence; Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr Samuel Sarpong, 1st Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; and three crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.



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