President John Dramani Mahama has broken his silence on the tragic military helicopter crash that occurred on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, describing the incident as a “deep personal loss” and one of the darkest moments of his presidency.
Addressing the nation in a solemn broadcast from the Jubilee House on Thursday, August 7, a visibly shaken Mahama expressed profound grief over the deaths of several senior government and military officials aboard the ill-fated Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter that went down in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
“This tragedy represents a deep personal loss to me,” President Mahama said. “I shared personal relationships with many of them. Their loyalty, integrity, and patriotism were unmatched.”
Though the full list of victims had yet to be officially released at the time of his address, the President acknowledged their dedicated service to the nation, emphasising that their legacies would live on through their contributions to national development and public service.
The government has declared a three-day national mourning period from Thursday, August 7, to Saturday, August 9. During this time, flags will be flown at half-mast nationwide, and all official events have been suspended.
President Mahama called on all Ghanaians to participate in the period of reflection and mourning:
“Let us unite in grief and show our solidarity to the bereaved families. This is not just a loss to their loved ones or the government, but to all of us as a people.”
To honour the fallen, a series of memorial events have been scheduled:
- A public laying of flowers will take place at Freedom Monument Park in Accra.
- An Evening of Reflections will be held on Saturday, August 9, at the Forecourt of the State House, featuring tributes and prayers from national leaders, clergy, and members of the public.
The President assured the families of the deceased that the state would provide full support, including funeral arrangements, counselling, and financial assistance.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, with the black box recovered from the site. A joint team from the Ghana Air Force and other security agencies is analysing data to determine what led to the fatal incident.
Despite the emotional weight of the tragedy, President Mahama urged the country to remain strong and resilient:
“We must draw strength from one another and uphold the values these gallant individuals stood for — service, sacrifice, and love for country.”
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