Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia paid a heartfelt visit to President John Dramani Mahama at his private residence on Saturday to express condolences following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including two sitting ministers and key government officials.
The crash, which occurred on August 6 in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, has been described as a national tragedy. Among the deceased were Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, and three Ghana Air Force crew members.
Dr Bawumia, accompanied by senior members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former government officials, embraced President Mahama and the First Lady, Lordina Mahama, in a moment of solemn unity. “This afternoon, I paid a visit to the President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, to express my deepest condolences as the nation mourns the loss of our compatriots,” Bawumia shared on social media.
He also visited the family of the late Dr Omane Boamah to offer personal sympathies. The visit was widely praised by Ghanaians as a gesture of statesmanship and compassion, transcending political lines.
President Mahama, visibly moved by the tragedy, issued a statement that captured the nation’s grief:
“This tragedy represents a deep personal loss for me. I shared a close bond with many of those individuals who died. Our nation is grieving, and on behalf of the government and the people of Ghana, I extend my deepest condolences to their families, friends and their loved ones.”
In response to the crash, President Mahama declared three days of national mourning. A state funeral is scheduled for August 15 at Black Star Square, with books of condolence open from August 10 to 14 at designated locations across the country.
The bipartisan show of empathy and unity has resonated deeply with citizens, reminding the nation of the values of service, sacrifice, and shared humanity that transcend political affiliations.
