The Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Dr Nii Moi Thompson, has urged the government to redouble its fight against illegal mining (galamsey) as a meaningful tribute to the eight victims of the August 6 helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.

The victims — comprising senior government officials and members of the armed forces — were reportedly en route to Obuasi to launch the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme, an initiative designed to encourage illegal miners to adopt sustainable and responsible mining practices.

Speaking to Citi FM on Monday, August 11, shortly after signing the book of condolences at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) headquarters, Dr Thompson insisted that the greatest honour to the deceased would be to tackle the galamsey scourge with urgency and determination.

“They were travelling there as part of the national campaign against galamsey. The most fitting tribute to their memory is to eradicate the menace once and for all. We cannot afford to shed crocodile tears — we must work tirelessly to ensure they did not die in vain,” he remarked.

The fatal crash claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah; Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed; former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; and NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong.

Also among the dead were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

A state funeral for all eight victims is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, at Black Star Square in Accra.