President John Dramani Mahama made his first public appearance following the tragic helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region, which claimed the lives of eight individuals, including two of his cabinet ministers.

The president attended a solemn flower-laying and candle-lighting ceremony held at the Ceremonial Garden in front of the Jubilee House to honour the victims on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

President Mahama was the first to lay a flower at the event.

A sombre-looking Mahama, dressed in black attire and dark shades, stood with other government officials, including Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.

He stepped forward after being handed two bouquets of flowers by a military officer.

Video of soldier being prophesied to reject flying goes viral after plane disaster

He then placed the bouquets in vases in front of an edifice displaying the images of the eight victims, with the inscription, “Ghana Mourns.”

Following the President, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang also stepped forward to lay her flower, followed by other top government officials and leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The ceremony forms part of a three-day national mourning declared in honour of the victims.

About the crash

Dr Murtala Mohammed was one of the eight victims who lost their lives in the tragic crash of a Ghana Armed Forces helicopter on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

The crash also claimed the lives of:

• Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah

• Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna

• Former Central Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong

• Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate

The remaining victims were members of the helicopter crew:

• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala

• Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu

• Sgt. Ernest Addo Mensah

The officials were en route to Obuasi to attend a programme on illegal mining as part of government efforts to end galamsey.

Watch a video of the event below:





BAI/MA

Meanwhile, watch below the trailer for GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures: