President John Mahama has declared three days of national mourning beginning Thursday, August 7, in honour of the eight Ghanaians who lost their lives in a tragic military helicopter crash today.

In a statement released by the Presidency, all official activities and engagements of the President for the remainder of the week have been suspended.

The Chief of Staff has also directed that all national flags be flown at half-mast until further notice.

“This is a national tragedy,” the statement signed by presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu read, as the country reels from the sudden loss of top government officials and military personnel.

The crash claimed the lives of key public servants, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Mohamme, NDC Vice-Chair Samuel Sarpong, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, and former MP Samuel Aboagye.

The Ghana Air Force personnel crew members who perished were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

The government is calling for a united front as the nation mourns the fallen.

Meanwhile, all eight bodies from the Ghana Air Force helicopter crash are now being transported from the Dampia Range Forest Reserve.

There is a strong security presence at the community, with military and police units deployed to manage the retrieval operation and maintain order.

Numerous vehicles, including ambulances and support units, can be seen leaving the area.