The Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, says the party and government would have reversed the tragic helicopter crash of 6 August if it had been within their power.
Speaking at the final funeral rites for Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna — one of eight people who died in the crash — Mr Asiedu Nketiah described the incident as a devastating national loss.
“If there were anything that the NDC, both in party and in government, could do to reverse this tragedy, it could have been done,” he told mourners on Sunday. “But unfortunately, nothing we do can bring back Honourable Limuna.”
The helicopter went down in the Adansi Akrofuom District in Ghana's Ashanti Region earlier this month. It claimed the lives of several top government and party officials, including Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and three military officers.
Limuna, who was also the acting national deputy security coordinator and a traditional ruler under the title Sandape-Wura Buwulonso I, was laid to rest in Damongo, where thousands gathered for the final rites. Attendees included chiefs, government officials, political figures and members of the diplomatic corps.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah acknowledged the outpouring of grief across the country and said attention must now turn to supporting the families left behind.
“That is why His Excellency the President directed the establishment of a fund to take care of the families of the victims of the August 6 disaster,” he said.
He also called for greater national unity in the wake of the tragedy.
“The solidarity we are witnessing today should not end here. Let this mark a new beginning of unity among the people of the north and the nation at large,” he added.
An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
