Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, has expressed deep sorrow over the August 6 helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including senior government officials and military personnel.
Speaking at the Funeral service on Friday, August 15, for the eight victims, Major General Agyapong paid tribute to the fallen, describing them as men who “served with pride and fell with honour.”
“As the bugle sounds and the night holds its silence, we salute them — Dr. Omane Boamah, Squadron Leader Anala, Flying Officer Ampadu, and Sergeant Mensah — brave men who served with pride and fell with honour,” he said.
He noted that their skills and dedication would continue to shape the Ghana Armed Forces’ training, maintenance, and operational doctrines for years to come, adding that they would be “sorely missed but fondly remembered.”
The crash occurred in the Adansi Akrofrom District of the Ashanti Region while the victims were en route to Obuasi for the launch of the government’s Cooperative Mining Initiative.
Two of the victims — Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed — were buried on August 10.
The remaining six, laid to rest on August 15, were: Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Samuel Aboagye, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Full tribute read by the Chief of the Defence Staff:
The Ghana Armed Forces Fraternity stands in solemn mourning of our beloved former Defence Minister, the Late Dr Edward Omane Boamah and our three gallant crew- Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, who tragically lost their lives in the unfortunate incident that occurred on Wednesday, 6 August 2025.
Dr Omane Boamah’s short tenure as Minister for Defence was marked by transformative leadership, innovation and unwavering commitment to excellence. As part of a broader agenda of “Resetting Ghana”, he advocated and implemented policies that sought to raise the standards of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Paramount amongst these were the retooling and operationalisation of the Ghana Armed Forces, championing merit-based recruitment/enlistment of service personnel, bridging the accommodation deficit gap of the Ghana Armed Forces, revitalization of the Defence Industries Holding Company Limited (DIHOC) and finally, prioritizing the welfare and health care delivery, including mental health, of troops and veterans.
He was just not a boss or leader, he was a role model and to some a mentor. He empowered those around him thus fostering teamwork and a shared purpose. A first encounter with him was full of quality of thoughts, depth of industry with every spoken word which carried grace and aura.
As we mourn his passing, though shock, we take solace in the indelible mark he left on Ghana’s Defence Architecture and the lives he touched.
Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala was a pilot whose operational capability combined advanced piloting skills and deep technical knowledge. He was commissioned into the Operations Branch of the Ghana Air Force as part of Regular Career Course 54 in 2014. After his Ab-Initio Pilot training in the United States, he was awarded with both a Private and Commercial Rotorcraft Licence and an Advanced Instrument Ratings certification.
His integration of flight safety protocols into operational planning enhanced mission success. As a mentor and instructor, he strengthened junior officers’ mission readiness and discipline, directly contributing to the Ghana Armed Forces’ combat preparedness.
Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu was an exceptional young pilot. He was commissioned into the Operations Branch of the Ghana Air Force in 2021 after a distinguished performance at the Royal Air Force Training Academy. He demonstrated outstanding adaptability across diverse mission profiles, coupled with precision in navigation and flight execution.
His meticulous approach to mission planning, briefing, and post-mission analysis reflected a deep understanding of operational procedures. Highly proficient in absorbing complex tactical concepts and translating them into flawless execution, he was a dependable co-pilot and a clear prospect for future command in air operations.
Sergeant Mensah Addo Ernest was a highly proficient aircraft technician whose engineering expertise was vital to the operational availability and mission readiness of the Z-9 helicopter fleet at No.8 Helicopter Wing. Enlisted in 2011 and certified in 2016, his diagnostic skills, adherence to airworthiness standards, and ability to execute time-sensitive maintenance tasks under operational conditions directly sustained the Ghana Air Force’s operational capabilities. He was also an effective mentor, developing junior technicians to maintain
high technical and operational standards.
To the bereaved families, I extend my deepest condolences. May the peace and comfort of the Almighty God be with you.
As the bugle sounds and the night holds its silence, we salute them; Dr Omane Boamah, Squadron Leader Anala, Flying Officer Ampadu, and Sergeant Mensah, brave men who served with pride and fell with honour.
Their skills and dedication will continue to influence our training, maintenance, and operational doctrines for years to come. They will be sorely missed but fondly remembered.
May their souls rest in perfect peace
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