President William Ruto has extended Kenya’s heartfelt condolences to Ghana following a tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight individuals, including two ministers.
In a message shared on X, Ruto expressed solidarity with the government and people of Ghana during this time of mourning, assuring them of Kenya’s support and prayers.
“We extend our condolences to President John Mahama, the Government, the people of Ghana and the bereaved families following a tragic helicopter crash that killed eight people, including two ministers,” Ruto posted.
The crash, which occurred in Ghana’s Ashanti Region on Wednesday, has prompted President John Dramani Mahama to suspend all his scheduled activities for the rest of the week in honour of the victims.
According to a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP), the Ghanaian government has declared three days of national mourning, beginning Thursday, August 7.
The statement emphasised that the period would be marked with solemnity and reflection, urging citizens to unite in grief and remembrance.
In a symbolic gesture of mourning, all national flags are to fly at half-mast across the country until further notice, as directed by the Chief of Staff.
The victims of the crash include some of Ghana’s top political and national figures among them Edward Omane Boamah (Minister of Defence), Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed (Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation), Alhaji Muniru Mohammed (Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister) and Samuel Sarpong (Vice-Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) party).
The tragedy has drawn condolences from across the continent. African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf joined the chorus of mourning, describing the crash as a “national tragedy.”
“The Chairperson conveys his heartfelt condolences to H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, the Government and people of Ghana, and the bereaved families of all those who lost their lives in this national tragedy,” read the AUC statement.
Tributes from world leaders, regional bodies, and the public have continued to pour in as the country begins its official mourning period.
