President John Mahama has consoled the families of the eight state officials who died in the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash, acknowledging that no speech or ceremony can take away the pain of their loss.

Speaking at the national inter-faith memorial service held in Accra on Thursday, August 6, to mark one year since the tragedy, President Mahama said the grief of losing loved ones cannot be fully addressed through words or public commemorations.

"To the bereaved families, permit me to once again convey the deepest condolences of the government and people of Ghana. I know that no speech can erase your pain, no anniversary can fill that empty seat at your dining table, and no ceremonies can replace the voices that you long to hear or the embraces that you still miss," he said.

The President noted that the victims left behind families, dreams and unfinished responsibilities, but their contributions to Ghana’s development would continue to be remembered.

He assured the families that the nation shares in their grief and will continue to honour the sacrifices of the eight individuals who lost their lives in service to the country.

"Please rest assured that the nation still mourns with you. Your loved ones did not die alone; they belong to all of Ghana, and Ghana will continue to remember them," he said.

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The August 6, 2025 helicopter crash claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane-Boamah, former Agriculture Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed and six others, including three Ghana Air Force crew members, while they were travelling to the Ashanti Region in connection with efforts to combat illegal mining.