The Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs is calling on the government of Ghana to step up its campaign against illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, in honor of the eight individuals who died in a military helicopter crash on August 6.
The victims, including senior government officials and military personnel, were en route to Obuasi to participate in an anti-galamsey initiative when their aircraft went down. In a statement delivered after signing the book of condolence at the Ministry of Defence, Nii Odaifio Welentse III, President of the Regional House of Chiefs, said their deaths must serve as a turning point in the nation’s battle against environmental destruction caused by illegal mining.
“If we cannot deal with this holistically, once and for all, then these gallant soldiers died for nothing,” Nii Welentse said. “We should all rise and deal with galamsey.”
The deceased included Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed (MP), Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Mr. Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah. The House of Chiefs described them as individuals who served Ghana with “distinction and dedication.”
Alhaji Murtala Mohammed and Alhaji Limuna were laid to rest on August 10. The remaining victims will be buried on Friday, August 15.
The tragedy has intensified public scrutiny of the government's efforts to curb illegal mining, a practice widely blamed for environmental degradation, water pollution, and destruction of arable land in parts of the country.
