August 6 helicopter crash - Reflections

It has been one week of national mourning and grief across the length and breadth of the country following the tragic crash of a military helicopter in the Adansi community in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, resulting in the death of all eight occupants on board, including two cabinet ministers.

This national tragedy will forever linger in our minds, souls and hearts as a people.

The eight victims, who were on national assignment en route to Obuasi, were reportedly traveling to launch a programme relating to illegal mining (galamsey) a devastating plague on the conscience of our nation that has defied all possible solutions over the years.

May the souls of the departed fallen heroes rest in perfect peace:

Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defense

Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment

Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Ag. Deputy Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture

Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman, NDC

Samuel Aboagye, former Member of Parliament

Sqn Leader Peter Bafami Anala

Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu

Sgt Ernest Addo Mensah

One week after the incident, tributes from well-meaning Ghanaians, traditional councils, institutions, and associations continue to pour in, honouring the memory of the fallen heroes and expressing condolences to the bereaved families.

Several foreign delegations have also visited to commiserate with the government, the families, and the people of Ghana over the great loss.

Since the tragedy, speculation has been rife regarding its cause ranging from spiritual interpretations to political angles, from bad weather to human error and even systems failure. Yet these remain unconfirmed.

With the discovery of the black box, detailed examination and analysis are expected to establish the true cause in due course.

Though this is not the first time such an accident has occurred in Ghana’s aviation history particularly within the Armed Forces the August 6 disaster has shocked the nation to its very foundation.

It has transcended partisan politics, religious affiliations, geographical boundaries and ethnicity.

Ghana stands united in grief. This tragedy has also reshaped our collective strength and unity as one people, determined to rise above the storm.

Some have commended the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for its decision not to contest the by-election in the Tamale Central Constituency should the EC open nominations as a mark of respect for the late MP who was among the victims.

It is heart-warming that even before the official state funeral and burial, scheduled for Friday, August 16, memorial activities have been organised across the country from the local to the national level, including at the seat of government in honour of the departed heroes.

In the public sphere, the tragedy has reignited the national debate on the fight against illegal mining. Galamsey has become the greatest existential threat to our country polluting rivers, degrading the environment, destroying forests and weakening our ecological systems.

Some argue that now is the right time for government to declare a state of emergency and confront the menace head-on, using every power at its disposal, regardless of political colour or affiliation.

Security analysts continue to sound the alarm that some galamsey sites are armed with sophisticated weapons capable of confronting national security agencies a matter of grave concern.

Ghana has indeed lost gems of its human resource in the line of duty. Yet, as a nation, we take consolation in knowing that they sacrificed their lives in pursuit of a noble cause and in service to their country for a greater tomorrow.

May their souls rest in perfect peace.

Nelson Kofi Akatey, PR Practitioner