Africa-Press – Ghana. President John Dramani Mahama, the Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), has posthumously promoted three military officers, who lost their lives in the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash.
“Promotions in our Armed Forces are never given lightly, and posthumous promotions are the highest mark of respect for duty performed, even unto death,” the President stated in his remarks at the State Funeral of the eight victims of the crash, held at the Black Star Square in Accra.
He has accordingly, approved the promotion of the late Squadron Leader Peter Mafemi Anala to the rank of Wing Commander; the late Flying Officer Manean Twum Ampadu to the rank of Flight Lieutenant, and the late Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah 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 role of honour, and the benefits due to their families will be reflected in these new ranks,” the President said.
He said the Chief of the Defence Staff would oversee the ceremonial presentation of the posthumous promotion insignias to their families.
He noted that their colleagues who were civilians would be posthumously recognized at the next National Honours Ceremony.
President Mahama said the event concluded the state funeral for the eight officers and personnel who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter crash.
“I am sure that individually and collectively our nation will continue to mourn as we find ways to hold tightly the memories of these men and to honour their legacies,” he said.
“There is no making sense of what happened. Despite whatever technical reasons or official explanations and investigation will yield, a loss of this magnitude and in this manner will never make sense to the grieving heart.
“What we can do, each of us in our own way as we try to come to terms with this tragic loss, is to move in the direction of peace within our communities and families, having been reminded of how fragile life can be,” President Mahama said.
He said also, the country could embrace the vision it shared with the fallen brothers for a stronger and more prosperous homeland.
“What we can do together as a nation is make sure that the lives of those who remain, specifically the children of our eight brothers, do not become the collateral damage of this tragedy,” he said.
“Grief can sometimes leave us feeling helpless and disempowered, but we are far from that. So it is with all this in mind that I would like today to announce the government’s decisions to honour the service of these individuals and secure the futures of those they left behind.”
The President humbly requested the spirit of compassion that was the hallmark of the nation for the bereaved families.
He said the Government has also decided on creating a Children’s Support Fund for the children of the victims of the crash.
The purpose of the fund was to ensure that the children left behind would never be deprived of the opportunities, the care, and the security that their parents worked so hard to provide for them.
He therefore appealed to Ghanaians to donate in support of the Fund.
The eight distinguished Ghanaians who lost their lives while on an official duty in the August 6, 2025, military helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region included Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; and Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology.
Others are Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Mr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; and Mr Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of National Disaster Management Organisation.
The rest are Wing Commander Peter Anala, Flight Lieutenant Officer Twum Ampadu and Flight Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, all of the Ghana Air Force.
Alhaji Dr Muhammed and Alhaji Limuna were laid to rest on Sunday, 10th August, 2025, at the new Military Cemetery at Tse Addo, near Burma Camp in Accra.
The rest, after the State funeral were buried at the same cemetery.
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