Ghana : National Day Of Mourning Declared

President John Mahama has declared a three-day national mourning following the tragic deaths of Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and six (6) others in a helicopter crash. The Z9 helicopter came down in a dense forest as it was flying from the capital, Accra, to the town of Obuasi for an event to tackle illegal mining. There were no survivors. In a statement dated 6 August and signed by the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, President John Mahama ordered the suspension of all scheduled activities and engagements for the remainder of the week. The statement further directed that all national flags be flown at half-mast until further notice. The President expressed profound sorrow over the incident and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
Another statement issued by the Government Spokesman indicated that, Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang had led a delegation comprising senior government officials, national executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the Military High Command to formally inform the families of the eight people who perished in the helicopter crash. The Vice President visited the homes of the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Minuru Limuna. The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, and the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, led another team to Koforidua to offer condolences to the mother and family of Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence.
Several African leaders have been offering their condolences following t...