Founder of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Pastor Mensa Otabil, on Wednesday led thousands of congregants in prayer for the families of eight Ghanaians who died in a tragic military helicopter crash earlier in the day.

Speaking during Day Three of the 2025 Greater Works Conference at the ICGC Christ Temple East in Teshie, Pastor Otabil expressed grief over the sudden loss of the victims, including ministers of state, government officials, and military personnel, who he said had set out simply to perform their national duties.

“This morning, some very important Ghanaians lost their lives,” Pastor Otabil said.

“They woke up just to do their work, to go through their duty... but they went and sadly lost their lives. Today, there is crying and weeping in many homes.”

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He led a solemn moment of intercession, calling on the congregation to pray for the wives, children, parents, and siblings of those who perished.

He stated that while the loss was a national tragedy, some families would bear the emotional scars for a lifetime.

“We pray for the peace of their families, pray for the comfort of the Holy Spirit,” he said.

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“This tragedy will be their story for so many years. And we pray that the God of all comfort would rest upon these homes.”

The crash, which occurred in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, 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.