Renowned lawyer and National Democratic Congress (NDC) stalwart, Tsatsu Tsikata, has called on Ghanaians to draw lessons of unity and healing from the August 6 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight high-profile officials and military personnel.
Speaking at the Evening of Reflections and Memorial held at the Forecourt of the State House on Saturday, August 9, Mr Tsikata emphasised that the tragedy should not only be seen through the lens of political or professional loss, but as a deeply personal blow to the families left behind.
“What really goes through my mind is the loss to their families, the spouses, the children. They must feel it more extensively, more completely than the rest of us,” he said in a heartfelt tribute.
Among the deceased were Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, NDC Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and three Ghana Air Force crew members—Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The officials were en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Co-operative Mining and Skills Development Programme (COMSDEP), aimed at addressing illegal mining, when the crash occurred.
Echoing sentiments earlier shared by former President John Mahama, Mr Tsikata urged that the dedication and public service of the victims should inspire national reflection.
“We can only hope and pray that what they lived and died for will be a lesson for all of us. Perhaps it will also be a lesson in the healing of the nation—and that is a legacy they will leave behind,” he noted.
The memorial service drew government officials, party members, and bereaved families, creating a rare moment of cross-party solidarity in the face of national grief.
Mr Tsikata’s message, widely shared on social media, has been hailed as a timely reminder that even in political divides, moments of shared tragedy can pave the way for unity.
