Jules Armand Aniambossou, the French Ambassador to Ghana, has commiserated with the Government and people of Ghana over the August 6 military helicopter crash.

He described the tragedy as not only a big loss to Ghana but also a loss to France due to the strong partnership between the two countries.

Mr Aniambossou joined other envoys to signed the Book of Condolence at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in honour of the eight distinguished Ghanaians, including senior government officials and military officers, who perished in the Adansi Akrofuom crash in the Ashanti Region.

“This loss is a loss for Ghana, but also a big loss for France because of the strong partnership between our two countries, and it’s why today, this terrible accident affects us deeply,” the French Ambassador said.

He disclosed that President Emmanuel Macron of France had personally called the President of Ghana to extend his condolences, followed by an Instagram post addressed to the President, the Government, and the people of Ghana.

“That is very, very important, I’m here today to express again our sincere condolences to all Ghanaians, and it’s very important to know that we, the French, are so close to this country that everything that affects Ghana also affects us,” he said.

Mr Aniambossou said France’s sympathy was not merely symbolic, but heartfelt, and that the French Government would do everything possible to ensure the families of the victims were never forgotten.

“I personally knew very well some of them, so I’m personally very affected,” he noted.

The Ambassador said: “But beyond that, the initiative that the President, His Excellency John Mahama, will take to never forget the families is a very, very great one. We applaud it.”

He lauded President Macron’s public message, stating that its concluding paragraph emphasised the importance of supporting the families and loved ones of those who had passed away.

The French envoy reiterated his condolences, saying: “May their soul rest in peace. We are very, very affected, and we should continue praying for them, and for Ghana.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has opened the Book of Condolence from August 12 to 14, allowing members of the Diplomatic Corps, government officials, and citizens to pay their respects.

The August 6 crash, which occurred during a flight in the Ashanti Region, claimed the lives of high-ranking personalities, including Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence; Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; and state and senior military officers.

Tributes continue to pour in from across the globe, with foreign missions in Ghana, international partners, and allied nations commiserating with the country.

Mr Aniambossou’s further reinforced France’s longstanding ties with Ghana, which span political, economic, and cultural cooperation.

He emphasised that such moments of grief strengthened bonds of friendship between nations, particularly when shared values of solidarity and mutual respect were evident.

The Ambassador further underscored the importance of collective remembrance and support for the bereaved, adding that tragedies of this magnitude tested the resilience of nations but also offered opportunities for unity.

France, he assured, would remain steadfast in its solidarity with Ghana, not only in moments of celebration but also in times of deep sorrow. “We will never forget the families,” he said. “We will always stand by Ghana.”