Catholic Bishops of Ghana extol fallen leaders, call nation to prayer and solidarity after tragedy

The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic military helicopter crash near Asikaman, close to Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region, which claimed the lives of eight prominent Ghanaians.

In an official statement signed by the President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani, the Catholic Bishops described the incident as a “grave loss to the nation” and a “heartbreaking moment of national grief.”

The statement was issued during the Bishops’ August Plenary Assembly at the National Catholic Secretariat in Accra, where the news of the accident cast a solemn cloud over their proceedings.

The eight individuals who perished in the crash were:
• Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
• Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed
• Alhaji Muniru Mohammed
• Dr. Samuel Sarpong
• Mr. Samuel Aboagye
• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
• Flying Officer Twum Ampadu
• Sergeant Ernest Addo

The statement highlighted the exemplary service and commitment of the deceased, describing them as “men of proven dedication, public servants, politicians, technocrats, and gallant officers of the Ghana Armed Forces who gave of themselves in service to the Republic, to its institutions, and to the people of this land.”

The Conference extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the institutions the deceased served, and the entire nation, urging Ghanaians to reflect on the “fragile and fleeting nature of human life” and to honour the legacy of those lost through unity, integrity, and service to the common good. “We are reminded of the enduring value of service rooted in integrity, sacrifice and the common good.”

The Bishops also offered prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed and for God’s comfort and peace for those left behind. “May our beloved country, in this hour of collective grief, find unity, strength and hope,” the statement concluded.

The Conference invoked a traditional Christian prayer, saying, “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.”

This national tragedy has prompted widespread mourning, including the declaration of a three-day national mourning period by the President of the Republic. Flags across the country are flying at half-mast as the nation grieves the loss of these eight sons of Ghana.