The tragic August 6 military helicopter crash should serve as a wake-up call for Ghana to place environmental stewardship at the heart of national governance, Dr. Samuel Mawusi Asafo, Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Administrators and Management Consultants (CIAMC), has said.
Delivering a memorial tribute to the eight men who died in the accident, Dr. Asafo argued that protecting the country’s natural environment is not just an ecological duty but a pillar of responsible leadership.
“Our institute has always emphasised that administrators and managers must be conscious of the physical environment they operate in,” he noted. “Protecting our environment is not optional; it is integral to sustainable national development.”
He urged political leaders, state agencies, and corporate bodies to integrate environmental protection into their core strategies, describing it as the most meaningful and lasting tribute to the victims.
“Let us commit to preserving our environment in their memory. That will ensure their sacrifice inspires a stronger, safer future for Ghana,” he said.
While commending the government’s decision to create a fund to support the children of the deceased, Dr. Asafo also appealed for unity and restraint as investigations continue into the crash.
“As professionals, we deal in facts. Let us allow the authorised bodies to conclude their work before drawing conclusions,” he advised, warning against politicising the tragedy.
Dr. Asafo further called on citizens to adopt environmental responsibility in every sphere — from homes and workplaces to farmlands and forests — stressing that such commitment will help prevent disasters and safeguard the nation’s long-term security.
