By Frank Kwame Abbor
Ho, Aug. 07, GNA – Ho is in deep mourning following the news of a tragic military helicopter crash that killed eight individuals, including two government Ministers.
The fatal accident, which occurred on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, has plunged the entire nation into sorrow and disbelief.
The helicopter, carrying Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Defence Minister; Environment Minister Dr Murtala Mohammed and six military officers, crashed during an official assignment, resulting in the loss of all lives onboard.
The devastating news has sparked a wave of grief and reflection across Ho, where residents are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
On the streets of Ho, residents are visibly distressed, voicing haunting questions as they gathered in small groups.
“What happened? What caused the crash? Couldn’t God have saved them?” were among the agonising questions echoing through the town.
Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, expressed his sorrow on Facebook, describing the incident as a national calamity.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight of our compatriots, including Hon. Edward Omane Boamah and Hon. Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. This is a profound loss for our nation,” he wrote.
Togbe Afede further extended his condolences to the families of the victims and the Ghana Armed Forces, emphasizing that the sacrifices and dedication of the deceased should never be forgotten.
“We mourn with their families, the Ghana Armed Forces, and all Ghanaians during this difficult time,” he added.
Fred Duhoe, a journalist based in Ho, took to social media to share his shock and personal connection to the tragedy.
“I’ve been on those trips with former Lands Minister Jinapor, Maj. Gen. Kotia, and officials from the German Embassy. It’s always scary up there, but this air accident has hit me very hard,” he posted.
For many in Ho, the emotional toll is palpable. A distraught resident told the Ghana News Agency, “I’m traumatised. It feels as if the eight souls who died are living in me. Is this how the world would capture our death?”
Another Ho resident questioned whether nature could have played a part in averting the disaster. “Those tall trees couldn’t hold them in the air until a rescue team arrived?” he lamented, reflecting the community’s deep yearning for answers.
While the Defence and Environment Ministers were widely known figures, residents in Ho are also mourning the six unnamed military officers, acknowledging their service and sacrifice.
“They are heroes who died serving Ghana,” a local elder remarked.
Social media have become a platform for collective mourning as Members of Parliament, government officials, business leaders, and citizens flood timelines with tributes, calling for a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash to bring closure to grieving families.
The Ghana Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence have assured the public that investigations are underway. They have pledged transparency and a commitment to uncovering the cause of the crash to prevent future tragedies.
In Ho and across Ghana, prayers continue to rise as national mourning has been declared for the departed souls with flags expected to fly at half-mast in honour of the victims.
As one resident solemnly declared, “May their souls rest in perfect peace; their service will never be forgotten.”
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah