Fellow Citizens of the Republic,

Today, the air hangs heavy with grief, and our hearts beat with unspeakable sorrow. A cloud of mourning has settled over our land as we bow our heads to honour the memory of eight gallant souls—our brothers, our sons, our guardians, and our friends—who ascended not just into the skies, but into eternal remembrance.

The earth weeps, and so do we.

On this fateful day, our nation was jolted by a tragedy so profound that even the forest that received them stood still. A military helicopter, symbol of our strength and sovereignty, crashed and claimed the lives of men who embodied service, sacrifice, and statesmanship.

Among them were pillars of our national fabric—Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, NDC Vice-Chairman Samuel Sarpong, Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, and a former NDC parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye. These were not just names on a roll call of duty; they were architects of our present and guardians of our future.

Alongside them stood brave hearts of our Air Force—Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah—men who strapped courage to their uniforms and dared the skies for the love of country.

We mourn them not merely because they are gone, but because they gave us something to aspire to. They walked paths of purpose, bore the weight of responsibility with grace, and gave their lives in the service of a cause greater than self.

To the grieving families, I say: you do not walk this dark valley alone. The Republic stands with you. Our tears are shared. Our silence is sacred. Our flag, flown at half-mast, is not a symbol of defeat, but of reverence—for lives well lived, for duty faithfully discharged, and for legacies that will outlive the storm.

Let the names of these noble souls be etched not only in history, but in our collective conscience. Let their service ignite in us a deeper sense of patriotism, unity, and resolve. Let us not only mourn the fallen; let us also rise in honour of them.

In their passing, may we find purpose.
In their silence, may we find strength.
And in their memory, may we find the courage to build a nation worthy of their sacrifice.

May their souls find rest in the bosom of eternity.
And may their memories remain ever green in the hearts of a grateful nation.

In solemn duty and heartfelt sorrow,

His Excellency,
Jimmy Aglah
President of the Republic of Uncommon Sense
August 6, 2025.

The writer, Jimmy Aglah, is a media executive, author, and sharp-eyed social commentator. His latest book, Once Upon a Time in Ghana: Satirical Chronicles from the Republic of Uncommon Sense, now available on Amazon Kindle, delivers a witty, piercing take on Ghanaian society and governance. When he’s not steering broadcast operations, he’s busy challenging conventions—often with satire, always with purpose.