Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called on Ghanaians to transform the grief over the August 6 military helicopter crash into a period of unity, sober reflection, and renewed dedication to national progress.
Speaking on Saturday at the Evening of Reflection and Memorial for the eight victims, held at the Forecourt of the State House, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang said no words could adequately capture the magnitude of the nation’s loss.
“This is not a time for perfect words nor a time for the right thoughts, because there are none,” she remarked, noting that the departed had “served their nation and humanity well.”
She recalled the shared experiences and warm encounters many had with the late colleagues moments which, she said, now stand as cherished memories. The Vice President also recognised the widespread grief felt not only by family, friends, and colleagues but also by strangers who mourn nonetheless.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang urged the public to resist political point-scoring or assigning blame, stressing instead the importance of “paying attention to detail and to facts” to help prevent future tragedies. She further challenged the nation to reflect on whether the “unhelpful barriers we consciously continue to build and maintain” are worth keeping, emphasising that unity must prevail in times of crisis
“It is a time for wishing our colleagues, who have perished in the line of duty, peaceful rest. It is a time for praying for comfort for their families and for everyone,” she said.
“It is a time too for the rest of us… to renew our pledge to work in ways that truly advance our country as they have tried to do.”
