Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has issued a heartfelt call to Ghanaians to remain united and uphold the noble values of the victims of the recent military helicopter crash.
Speaking during a somber evening of reflections and a memorial ceremony held at the Forecourt of the State House on Saturday, August 9, Debrah emphasized the importance of honoring the memory of the departed by continuing to live by the principles they stood for.
The ceremony was an integral part of a three-day national mourning period declared by the President, following the tragic incident that claimed the lives of eight distinguished individuals, including Defence, Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
Debrah eloquently emphasized that the departed would want the country to “wipe our tears” and continue to live by the principles they stood for – patriotism, selfless leadership, bravery, and unwavering service to God and country. “On this day, I’m sure our comrades will be urging us to wipe our tears,” he said with conviction. “They will be telling us to remain united as a people and a nation, bound together by our shared humanity. More importantly, they will be urging us to continue to strive to live by the values they stood for and died for – values that are the bedrock of our nation’s strength and resilience.”
Mr. Debrah underscored the imperative of unity and patriotism, stressing that the spirit of oneness demonstrated by Ghanaians across the divide was a prove to the country’s unwavering solidarity.
“This time reminds me and reminds us of the spirit of oneness,” he added with solemnity. “The spirit that we have shown and continue to show across the divide – a spirit that transcends our differences and unites us in our shared grief and determination to move forward.”
Sadly,as part of the national mourning period, the government announced the burial rites for the two Muslim victims, with Janazah prayers which took place on Sunday, August 10, at the Forecourt of the State House, followed by burial at the Military Cemetery. An inter-denominational state funeral for all the victims is also scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square, serving as a moving tribute to their memory and legacy.