The Government has announced a series of national activities to commemorate the first anniversary of the military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight distinguished Ghanaians on August 6, 2025.
In a statement issued by the Presidency on July 30, 2026, Government said the programme is intended to honour the memory, service, and sacrifice of the individuals, collectively referred to as the “Departed 8,” while showing solidarity with their bereaved families.
The commemorative activities begin on Thursday, July 30, with the official presentation of the State’s support to the families of the deceased.
On Tuesday, August 4, a memorial lecture in honour of the late Dr. Edward Omane Boamah will be held at Burma Hall in Burma Camp, Accra, from 2:00 p.m. The event is being organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Pope John Senior High School Old Boys Association (POJOBA) and is open to the public.
A National Inter-Faith Memorial Service will take place on Thursday, August 6, at the UPSA Auditorium in Madina, Accra, beginning at 8:30 a.m. President John Dramani Mahama, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Chair of the Armed Forces Council, are expected to attend the service.
Later that day, at 4:00 p.m., the Ministry of Defence will unveil a memorial cenotaph in honour of the deceased. Attendance at the ceremony will be by invitation.
As part of the commemoration, Government has also announced a nationwide blood donation exercise dubbed “Service to the Soul,” scheduled for Saturday, August 7. The campaign will be held at all district, regional, and teaching hospitals across the country, the 37 Military Hospital, and other designated centres.
According to the Presidency, the initiative seeks to replenish blood banks nationwide while providing Ghanaians with a meaningful opportunity to honour the memory of those who lost their lives in the tragic crash.
Government has called on all citizens, civil society organisations, religious bodies, media houses, and well-wishers to participate in the commemorative activities, describing the blood donation exercise as a life-saving tribute to the fallen heroes.
By: Bernard Mensah
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