Former Senior Presidential Aide and Ghana’s former Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr. Tony Aidoo, has described last Wednesday’s helicopter crash that claimed eight lives — including two cabinet ministers — as an “avoidable national tragedy.”
The aircraft was transporting government officials to the launch of an anti-illegal mining initiative when it went down, killing Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, and three crew members — Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Speaking on Newsfile on Saturday, August 9, Dr. Aidoo expressed deep sorrow, noting he had personal ties to three of the victims. “Anytime I remember the departed, it is usually with teary eyes, but I am not here to eulogise. Mine will be a very tiny voice among the worldwide tributes and lamentations following this avoidable tragedy,” he said.
Dr. Aidoo challenged the idea that the disaster was an act of God. “People will say, ‘Oh, the Lord gave and the Lord takes.’ I say God did not take — it was we who gave, by our mistake, through an avoidable death. God gives, yes, but God does not take innocent lives. People die by their own destruction or by lifestyle,” he argued.
He stressed that the victims were in the air solely because they were heading to combat illegal mining, known locally as galamsey. “President Mahama must kill the galamsey menace before it kills more members of his cabinet,” he warned.
Dr. Aidoo revealed that upon hearing the confirmed details of the crash, he sent a message to President Mahama: “These eight patriotic souls lost their lives in the fight against galamsey. For God’s sake, Mr. President, don’t let them die in vain. Stop the galamsey now. That’s the best tribute we can pay to these patriotic deaths.”
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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