The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has disclosed that the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, one of the cabinet ministers who died in the helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofuom, originally planned on travelling to Kumasi via a chartered flight.
According to him, Murtala called and asked him to make arrangements for a vehicle to pick him up at the Prempeh International Airport so he could continue his journey to Obuasi to attend the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP).
He said that the driver he arranged to pick up Dr Murtala called to inform him that he had not heard from him, only for him to hear the news of the devastating crash later.
“Yesterday around 4 PM, Hon Murtala called me. His first words were that he admired my energy and was proud of me. I humbly replied, ‘Oh senior, I am only learning at your feet,’ and we both laughed. He then requested that I arrange a vehicle to pick him up at the Kumasi Airport at 7 AM for today’s programme.
“At 9 AM this morning, the driver informed me that Hon had not reached out. I tried calling, thinking he might be airborne on AWA or Passion Air, never imagining that he had changed plans to join the helicopter,” the regional minister wrote.
The regional minister said that the incident has left him heartbroken.
“We have lost him in this tragic crash, and seeing him lifeless this afternoon broke my heart painfully. My heart is heavy, my mind is numb. We have lost a fine leader.
“Rest well, Hon Murtala. Your words of encouragement will forever remain with me,” the post concluded.
