By Iddi Yire
Accra, Aug 15, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama, the Commander-In-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), has posthumously promoted three military officers, who lost their lives in the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash.
“Promotions in our Armed Forces are never given lightly, and posthumous promotions are the highest mark of respect for duty performed, even unto death,” the President stated in his remarks at the State Funeral of Eight victims of the helicopter crash, held at the Blackstar Square in Accra.
Accordingly, the President has approved the promotion of the late Squadron Leader Peter Mafemi Anala to the rank of Wing Commander; the late Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu to the rank of Flight Lieutenant and the late Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah to the rank of Flight Sergeant.
“These are not just symbolic gestures. They represent the rightful place these officers have earned in our Republic’s role of honor, and the benefits due to their families will be reflected in these new ranks,” the President said.
He said the Chief of the Defence Staff would oversee the ceremonial presentation of the posthumous promotion insignias to their families.
He noted that their colleagues who were civilians would be posthumously recognized at the next National Honors Ceremony.
President Mahama said the event concluded the state funeral for the eight officers and personnel who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter crash of 6 August 2025.
“I am sure that individually and collectively our nation will continue to mourn as we find ways to hold tightly the memories of these men and to honour their legacies,” he said.
“There is no making sense of what happened. Despite whatever technical reasons or official explanations and investigation will yield, a loss of this magnitude and in this manner will never make sense to the grieving heart.
“What we can do, each of us in our own way as we try to come to terms with this tragic loss, is to move in the direction of peace within our communities and families, having been reminded of how fragile life can be.”
He said also, they could embrace the vision they shared with their fallen brothers for a stronger and more prosperous homeland.
“What we can do together as a nation is make sure that the lives of those who remain, specifically the children of our eight brothers, do not become the collateral damage of this tragedy,” he said.
“Grief can sometimes leave us feeling helpless and disempowered, but we are far from that. So, it is with all this in mind that I would like today to announce the government’s decisions to honour the service of these individuals and secure the futures of those they left behind.”
The President said, he humbly requested the spirit of compassion that was the hallmark of their nation for these bereaved families.
He noted that the next decision that the Government had made was for the creation of a Children’s Support Fund for the children of the victims of the 6th August Helicopter Crash.
He said the purpose of this fund was clear; saying that “it is to ensure that the children left behind will never be deprived of the opportunities, the care, and the security that their parents worked so hard to provide for them”.
“We Ghanaians live in a culture that opposes collective responsibility, especially where community and family are concerned.”
He also appealed to Ghanaians to donate in support of the Fund.
The eight distinguished Ghanaians who lost their lives while on an official duty in the August 6, 2025, military helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region include Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; and Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology.
Others are Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Mr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; and Mr Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
The rest are Squadron Leader Peter Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, all of the Ghana Air Force.
Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna were laid to rest on Sunday, 10th August, 2025, at the new military cemetery at Tse Addo in Accra.
They were laid to rest at the military cemetery after the State funeral.
GNA
Christian Akorlie
