Former President Kufuor has paid a visit to the residence of President John Dramani Mahama to commiserate with him and the government over the tragic helicopter crash that killed two ministers of state and six other senior government officials and military personnel.

The Vice President, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who was part of the meeting, posted about the visit on her X account on Friday, August 8.

She wrote: In a gesture of solidarity and statesmanship, former President John Agyekum Kufuor paid a visit to President John Dramani Mahama and the First Lady, Lordina Mahama, at their residence to express his condolences and support during this difficult time. I joined them and other government officials to receive him and thank him for his thoughtful gesture."

The former President, who has called for support for the incumbent president in this difficult moment, acknowledged that serving in public office comes with hazards, such as what happened to the eight public servants.

In a media interview, Mr Kufuor also shared a personal experience regarding how he almost experienced a plane accident while on a presidential trip in 2007 from Libya to Khartoum in Sudan.

Read Also: ‘I nearly died in a plane crash in 2007’ – Kufuor recounts

The fatal crash, which occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, claimed the lives of:

Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence

Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment

Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator

Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC

Mr Samuel Aboagye, former Member of Parliament

Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala

Flying Officer Twum Ampadu

Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah

The helicopter on an anti-illegal mining mission from Accra to Obuasi, crashed under still-unclear circumstances. Preliminary reports point to possible mechanical failure or poor weather conditions, though investigations are ongoing.

In response, President Mahama has declared three days of national mourning, appointing Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson as acting Defence Minister, and the Lands and Natural Resources Minister as acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology.