President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to preserve the memory of the eight distinguished public servants who lost their lives in last year's military helicopter crash by embracing the values of sacrifice, patriotism and selfless service that defined their lives.

Speaking at the National Inter-Faith Memorial Service held in Accra on Thursday, August 8, to mark one year since the tragic accident, President Mahama said the occasion was not merely about mourning the dead but about reaffirming the nation's commitment to honouring those who gave their lives in service to Ghana.

Addressing government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, religious leaders, the security services, bereaved families and invited guests, the President described the memorial as a solemn reminder that a grateful nation must never forget those who served it with distinction.

"Today is one of those days when a nation deliberately slows its pace, not because history demands it, but because memory does," President Mahama said.

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He recalled the morning of 6 August, when news of the helicopter crash shocked the nation and left Ghanaians united in grief.

"Exactly one year ago, almost to the hour, Ghana awoke to news that none of us would have wished to hear. In a single tragic moment, eight precious lives were cut short in a helicopter accident while in the service of our nation."

The memorial honoured eight public servants who died when a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom area of the Ashanti Region while on an official assignment to Obuasi. The delegation was travelling to participate in government activities when the aircraft came down, killing everyone on board.

The victims were:

• Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence;
• Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and Member of Parliament for Tamale Central;
• Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator;
• Dr Samuel Sarpong, National Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC);
• Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO);
• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, pilot of the aircraft;
• Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, co-pilot; and
• Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, aircraft technician with the Ghana Air Force.

President Mahama described them as patriotic Ghanaians from different professional backgrounds who were united by a common commitment to serving the country.

"The Ghanaians we honour today came from diverse backgrounds and professions. They had different dreams, different personalities and different stories. Yet they were united by one common purpose: they answered the call to serve God and country."

The President said the nation had gathered not to reopen old wounds but to give meaning to the tragedy through remembrance.

"Today, a year later, we gather not to relive that day but to give it meaning. We gather because remembrance is an obligation for every grateful nation."

He warned that any country that forgets those who served it risks losing sight of the values upon which it is built.

According to him, remembrance goes beyond observing anniversaries.

"Memory is not simply about looking backwards; it is an act of national character and values. It affirms that sacrifice matters, that service is honoured and that lives dedicated to the nation will never disappear into the shadows of history."

Reflecting on the final journey of the eight victims, President Mahama noted that none of them could have imagined they were embarking on their last mission.

Like thousands of public servants across the country every day, he said, they simply set out to perform their duties.

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"They left behind unfinished conversations, appointments they expected to keep, families they expected to return to and dreams they believed they still had time to fulfil."

He said the tragedy served as a powerful reminder that life is uncertain and that every opportunity to serve should be treasured.

"That is perhaps the greatest lesson this anniversary teaches us: that life is fragile, that service is sacred and that tomorrow can never be guaranteed."

President Mahama paid tribute to public servants across Ghana, observing that many make enormous personal sacrifices with little public recognition.

He said they routinely spend long periods away from their families, travel extensively, endure difficult working conditions and make important decisions under pressure because they believe in the country's future.

"Too often, however, we celebrate such service only after tragedy strikes," he observed.

He urged Ghanaians to appreciate the work of public servants while they are alive rather than waiting until after their deaths.

Turning his attention to the families of the deceased, the President acknowledged that no anniversary or memorial service could erase the pain of losing loved ones.

"I know that no speech can erase your pain. No anniversary can fill the empty seat at your dining table. No ceremony can replace the voices you long to hear or the embraces you still miss."

He commended the families for the courage and dignity they had shown throughout the past year and assured them that the nation continued to share in their grief.

"Your loved ones did not die alone. They belong to all of Ghana, and Ghana will continue to remember them."

President Mahama also reflected on the national response to the disaster, describing it as evidence of Ghana's unity and compassion.

He recalled how citizens from every part of the country, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity or religion, reached out to support the bereaved families through prayers, visits and messages of solidarity.

"I have seen religious communities, traditional authorities, members of the security services and citizens from every corner of our country standing together with these families."

He said such acts demonstrated that despite political and social differences, Ghanaians remained united by their shared humanity.

"Those moments remind us that beyond our politics, beyond our ethnic differences and beyond our religious beliefs, we remain one people united by our common humanity."

President Mahama urged citizens to ensure that the sacrifices of the eight fallen public servants inspire a renewed commitment to national service, integrity and patriotism.

He said the greatest tribute the nation could pay to those who died in service was to continue building a Ghana founded on compassion, accountability and selfless leadership.

"As we remember these eight distinguished Ghanaians, let us also recommit ourselves to the ideals they served. Their lives remind us that service to country is one of the noblest callings, and their sacrifice will remain an enduring part of Ghana's history," he concluded.