How Church Invitation Saved Ghanaian President Mahama from Helicopter Crash

By Dayo Emmanuel

Nigerians received with shock the news of a helicopter crash in Ghana on Wednesday, 6th August, which claimed the lives of top government officials. It was a black Wednesday in a country that rarely experiences such national tragedies.

However, Ghanaian President, John Mahama escaped the tragedy as he went to honour a church invitation. Another official also missed the flight as he arrived late for the journey.

The ill-fated military helicopter was in the direction of Accra to Oboasi, a gold mining town in the Ashanti Region when it lost contact with aviation authorities and ultimately crashed in a remote area in the Bono East Region. It was scheduled to convey senior officials for a high-level government function in the capital but never made it.

The Ministers on board were the Minister of Defence, Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Murtala Muhammed (whose burial was scheduled for Thursday morning being a Muslim), Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, a former Parliamentary Candidate, Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu and Sgt. Ernest Addi Mensah, an Engineer.

However, despite the tragedy, Ghanaians were thankful for the narrow escape of the President, John Dramani Mahama, who was earlier scheduled to be on that same flight and another official.

According to a Ghanaian journalist who spoke to National Wire, “One more Minister and the President were supposed to be on that helicopter too. The minister arrived late, so they left without him. President Mahama cancelled at the last minute to attend a retreat organised by his church. That decision saved his life.”

The journalist however provided further information. “The minister who was late to board is Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, Minister of Interior. He was actually practically dragged out of the helicopter by the Finance Minister, Dr. Casiel Ato Forson because they were supposed to be in a meeting together. So it was the Finance Minister who actually caused his delay. But unfortunately, Dr. Alhaji Murtala Mohammed replaced him because there was one more vacant seat. The CEO of Goldboard, Sammy Gyamfi, was also supposed to be part, but the passengers but the capacity was full, so he couldn’t join.”

This divine twist of fate has sparked conversations across Ghana and beyond, with many describing it as a miraculous escape for the President.

A post on X (formerly Twitter) from the handle: @thee_alfa_house stated that,
“Ghana Mourns The Loss Of its Gallant Sons. Yesterday, a military helicopter crashed in the Ashanti Region, killing eight people, including their Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
The Defence Minister had been designated to represent President Mahama due to the President’s tight schedule. Originally, this was a trip for Mahama, he was supposed to be on the same helicopter.
The Z-9 helicopter, en route to Obuasi, lost radar contact. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.”

In Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the people and government of Ghana, describing the incident as a “painful loss” not only to Ghana but to the entire West African subregion.

In his message, Tinubu said: “I extend my heartfelt condolences to my brother, President Mahama, and the people of Ghana. This tragic loss is deeply felt, and Nigeria stands in solidarity with Ghana during this difficult time. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”

In honour of the fallen officials, the Ghanaian government has declared a three-day national mourning period. Flags are to fly at half-mast across the country, while special prayers and tributes are scheduled nationwide.

Investigations into the cause of the crash have been launched, with aviation and security authorities vowing to leave no stone unturned. Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in from across Africa and the international community.