Africa-Press – Ghana. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Cape Coast South Constituency say they are devastated by the tragic demise of the statesmen and servicemen who perished in Wednesday’s helicopter crash.
They have described the deaths of the eight men as a huge loss to the country and expressed their commiserations to the bereaved families, the government and the State.
In honour of the victims, the NDC in the constituency has scheduled a vigil for Friday, August 8 at London Bridge in Cape Coast.
The devastating crash, which happened near Adanse in the Ashanti Region, claimed the lives of Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator.
The rest are Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice‐Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Mr Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala (pilot), Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu (co‐pilot), and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The NDC constituency party office has been draped with red and black colours to signify their bereavement when visited the office.
Mr George Elvis Korankye-Taylor, the Chairman of the party, said the tragic incident was least expected and had crumbled a better of the government machinery.
He paid glowing tribute to Dr Omane Boamah whom he described as a strategist and tactician given his knowledge in and approach to politics.
He recounted his first encounter with the late Defence Minister in 2011 in Sunyani and narrated how they collaborated effectively to secure victory for late President Atta Mills during the party’s congress.
“That was the first time I met Omane Boamah but his relationship with me was perfect; as if he knew me from Adam,” he said.
“Indeed, Omane Boamah and the rest of the executives brought the party to power and they were working to salvage it,” he added.
Mr Korankye-Taylor also shared some fond memories of Dr Murtala Muhammed and Dr Sarpong, describing them as geniuses and perfect gentlemen.
“The NDC and the country as a whole have lost great individuals.
“We cannot bring them back. The harm is already done and all we can say is that we commit their souls into the hands of our Father in heaven,” he said.
Madam Caroline Aboagye Awusi, the NPP Chairperson for the constituency, visibly sombre, could not come to terms with the tragedy.
She said she was sent reeling by the news when she heard it around 1400 hours on Wednesday.
“On behalf of the Cape Coast South Constituency branch of the NPP, we express our condolences to the whole country,” she said.
As great men who died in service to their country, she said they deserved to be honoured in a befitting way, devoid of partisan politics.
Madam Aboagye Awusi recalled the warm reception extended to her by Dr Murtala Muhammed when they met for the first time in 2023 at the University of Cape Coast.
“He was surprised to see a woman chairing a constituency like Cape Coast South and urged me on.
“From that moment, I began to like the man because of his humility,” she recounted.
She encouraged the nation to come together and pray for God’s guidance and protection to avert similar tragedies in the future.
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