Minister for Foreign Affairs and MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, delivered a deeply emotional tribute to the victims of the August 6 military helicopter crash, describing the tragedy as an unbearable national wound.
Speaking at the memorial service, Ablakwa admitted that words like “shattered, devastated, speechless, shaken, traumatized, heartbroken, horrified, depressed, petrified” still fall short of capturing the depth of the nation’s grief. “No human being deserves to die in this manner,” he said, adding that the eight lives lost — whom he called the Martyrs of August 6 — “definitely did not deserve to depart this world in such unspeakable circumstances.”
The victims — Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane Twum Ampadu, and Sgt. Ernest Addo Mensah — were hailed as courageous patriots who will be celebrated both locally and internationally.
Ablakwa revealed that the Foreign Ministry had received overwhelming tributes from world leaders and international organisations, with many personally reaching out to President John Mahama to convey condolences and respect for the fallen. “A man’s worth is not to be measured by mere longevity but by the impact they had,” he said.
The minister dedicated his eulogy to Dr. Omane Boamah, describing a friendship and professional relationship that began 23 years ago. He recalled meeting him as a respected student activist whose tenure as NUGS President was “successful and consequential” regardless of political leanings.
