New revelations have emerged following the tragic military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight individuals, including Ghana’s Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah; and Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
According to emerging details, a series of last-minute changes spared the lives of several top-ranking political figures — including President John Dramani Mahama — who were initially scheduled to be on board the military aircraft.
The crash, which occurred on Wednesday, August 6, involved a Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region for the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme.
According to information from multiple sources, President Mahama had originally been scheduled to fly to the programme, although it is unconfirmed if he would have joined the same aircraft.
However, he reportedly changed his itinerary in order to attend the 1st National Pastors and Spouses Prayer Retreat, organised by the Assemblies of God Church, at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region.
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Speaking on TV3’s New Day on Thursday, August 7, Presidential Staffer, Nana Yaa Jantuah, confirmed this development, stating;
“The president was originally supposed to go with them. But because of the prayer programme at Gomoa Fetteh, he changed his itinerary.”
Similarly, the Deputy Director General of the National Service Authority, Donkor Fuseini, also disclosed on the show that the Minister of the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, was also scheduled to be on the flight.
According to him, the minister was listed as the fifth passenger before being pulled off at the last minute by the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, for an emergency meeting with some immigration officials.
“Ato Forson dragged him out at the Air Force Base and said, ‘No, you can’t board. We have a meeting with the immigration guys, and I need you there’,” he recounted.
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Donkor Fuseini further disclosed that the CEO of Ghana Goldbod, Sammy Gyamfi, was also meant to be part of the programme, but space limitations on the aircraft led to his exclusion.
The Deputy Director of Elections for the NDC, Dr Rashid Tanko, further disclosed on JoyNews’ PM Express on Wednesday, August 6, that the party’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, had initially been invited to represent the NDC at the Obuasi event but declined due to prior commitments.
The General Secretary also opted out due to short notice.
Dr Samuel Sarpong, the party’s Vice Chairman, was selected at the last minute to represent the NDC — a decision that ultimately cost him his life.
“At a recent meeting, the party had to decide who would represent them. One of the Deputy National Organisers, Koby Balon, spontaneously suggested Dr Sarpong.
“Koby said, ‘Ah, Dr Sarpong, you are here. It’s your region. You can represent us.’ Dr Sarpong didn’t even know about the programme beforehand, but he accepted without hesitation. As always, when the party calls, he never says no,” he added.
The tragic accident has sent waves of grief and shock across the political landscape, especially given how close several senior figures came to boarding the ill-fated flight.
In response to the tragedy, President John Dramani Mahama has declared three days of national mourning.
All national flags are to be flown at half-mast in honour of the victims
