Joshua Sika Nartey, an Aspiring National Deputy Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticised the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration, describing it as counterproductive, below the belt, and incapable of rebuilding the opposition party’s fortunes ahead of the 2028 general elections.

Speaking during the NPP’s “Democracy Under Attack” Demo, Nartey said he deliberately attended the demonstration to observe the opposition’s activities because politicians must remain interested in developments within rival political parties.

“As a politician, you should be interested in what goes on in your opponent’s camp. So today I decided to come here and witness whatever is going on, but I can see that it’s below the belt. What they did today was counterproductive,” he stated.

‘Konongo Kaya syndrome’

Nartey argued that the NPP is suffering from what he termed the “Konongo Kaya syndrome,” claiming that after assuming office in 2017, the party promised to uphold the rule of law but spent much of its tenure pursuing allegations against former President John Dramani Mahama.

According to him, despite repeated allegations, including the Airbus matter and other corruption claims, the Akufo-Addo administration failed to secure any wrongdoing against Mahama.

He further claimed that the Office of the Special Prosecutor ultimately cleared Mahama, insisting that the NDC’s anti-corruption agenda has been consistent.

Defends ORAL initiative

Nartey defended the NDC government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) initiative, describing it as a key manifesto promise aimed at fighting corruption and recovering state assets.

He noted that shortly after assuming office, the Mahama administration established a five-member committee chaired by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to investigate alleged cases of corruption and misuse of public resources.

According to him, the committee uncovered instances of alleged financial misconduct, stressing that those responsible must face the law.

“It is the duty of the NDC today to challenge corruption in this country because ill-gotten wealth will never prosper.”

Calls on NPP to rebuild

Rather than organising demonstrations, Nartey urged the NPP to undertake deep introspection and reorganise itself.

He said the current leadership of the opposition party is not providing the strong alternative that Ghana’s democracy requires.

Comparing today’s NPP with the party that returned to power in 2001, he argued that the opposition has become “a shadow of itself,” adding that many of its current leaders have failed to match the calibre of previous party figures.

He questioned whether the NPP had conducted any serious review of its 2024 electoral defeat, contrasting it with the publication of “Chasing the Elephant into the Bush,” a book written by Dr Arthur Kennedy after the party’s 2008 election loss.

According to him, the absence of similar reflections after the 2024 elections demonstrates weaknesses within the party’s current leadership.

Praises Mahama administration

Nartey commended President John Dramani Mahama’s government, saying it has performed strongly across several sectors since taking office.

He praised Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, claiming conditions in senior high schools have improved, and also lauded Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh for what he described as proactive leadership within the health sector.

He argued that instead of staging protests, the NPP should establish a functional shadow government whose members would scrutinise ministers while learning from policies they believe are delivering results.

Quoting Proverbs 6:6-11, he urged the opposition to “go to the ant” and learn valuable lessons rather than engaging in what he described as unnecessary political noise.

Calls for responsible opposition

Nartey stressed that Ghana needs a responsible opposition capable of acknowledging government successes while constructively criticising shortcomings.

According to him, healthy democratic governance requires political parties to debate ideas instead of engaging in demonstrations that fail to address national concerns.

He also suggested that if internal divisions surrounding former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia remain unresolved, the NPP leadership should unite all factions to rebuild a formidable opposition capable of keeping the government accountable.

Commends judiciary and Attorney General

Nartey praised the judiciary, the Chief Justice, Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine, and members of the Attorney General’s office for what he described as their commitment to pursuing justice under the Mahama administration.

He called for increased investment in Ghana’s judicial system, arguing that a well-resourced judiciary would help eliminate corruption, state looting, and financial mismanagement.

Vows alleged looters will face justice

Reaffirming the NDC government’s anti-corruption agenda, Nartey said President Mahama has consistently maintained that his administration is determined to hold accountable anyone found to have misappropriated state resources during the previous Akufo-Addo administration.

He claimed the government has already made significant progress in pursuing corruption-related cases and assured Ghanaians that investigations and prosecutions would continue.

Nartey thanked Ghanaians for placing their confidence in President Mahama and the NDC, saying the government intends to honour the overwhelming parliamentary mandate it received by ensuring accountability and safeguarding public resources.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has paid tribute to the eight victims of the August 6, 2025 military helicopter crash while urging the government to use the first anniversary of the tragedy to provide Ghanaians with a full account of the country’s fight against illegal mining and the official investigation into the fatal crash.

In a statement issued on August 5, 2026, and signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the opposition party described the anniversary as a solemn moment of remembrance but stressed that honouring the deceased must go beyond memorial ceremonies to include accountability and measurable progress in the national mission they died serving.

NPP Remembers the Departed Eight

The party recalled that on August 6, 2025, Ghana suffered one of the most painful tragedies in its recent history when a military helicopter travelling to Obuasi crashed in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region, killing all eight occupants on board.

The victims included:

• Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence;
• Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology;
• Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator;
• Dr. Samuel Sarpong;
• Mr. Samuel Aboagye; and
• Three Ghana Armed Forces personnel who piloted and crewed the aircraft.

The NPP noted that the nation had spent the week commemorating the victims through activities including the Memorial Lecture held on August 4, the National Memorial Service, the unveiling of a cenotaph, and a nationwide blood donation exercise.

According to the statement, the party joins the government, the Ghana Armed Forces, the bereaved families and all Ghanaians in honouring the memory of the departed.

“Grief Has No Party Colours”

The NPP stated that although many of those who died were senior members of the governing party, their deaths represented a national loss rather than a partisan one.

It said the grief of the bereaved families is shared by the entire Republic and commended all Ghanaians participating in the memorial activities, particularly the nationwide blood donation exercise, describing it as “a fitting and life-giving tribute.”

They Died While Serving the Nation

The statement emphasized that the victims were not on a routine journey but were travelling to Obuasi in pursuit of a national assignment focused on combating illegal mining (galamsey) and protecting Ghana’s lands and water bodies.

“They did not die at rest. They died at work, in pursuit of a cause the whole nation has declared urgent,” the party stated.

The NPP argued that while remembrance ceremonies are important, they should not replace tangible results in the fight against illegal mining.

According to the party, “the truest tribute to the departed is not a wreath or a lecture. It is results in the cause for which they gave their lives.”

Government Asked to Account for Progress

The opposition party called on the government to use the anniversary week to answer what it described as the questions the departed themselves would have asked.

Among the issues it wants addressed are:

• The current condition of Ghana’s rivers and water bodies compared to a year ago.
• The number of forest reserves that remain under assault from illegal mining.
• The number of degraded forest reserves that have been reclaimed.
• The measurable gains made in the fight against galamsey since the tragedy.

The party maintained that one year after the crash, the government owes the nation a comprehensive account of progress made in the anti-galamsey campaign.

Calls for Update on Helicopter Crash Investigation

Beyond the fight against illegal mining, the NPP also demanded a full update on the official investigation into the helicopter crash.

The party said Ghanaians deserve to know:

• The findings of the investigation.
• The safety recommendations that emerged from it.
• The measures implemented to protect public officials and security personnel travelling on official national assignments.

It said these steps are necessary to ensure that no other family experiences a similar tragedy.

“Remembrance Is a Duty”

The NPP concluded by stating that remembrance should not end with ceremonies but should inspire continued demands for accountability.

The party pledged to continue raising questions about both the anti-galamsey mission and the accountability surrounding the helicopter crash before Parliament and the Ghanaian people until satisfactory answers are provided.

It ended the statement by praying for the souls of the departed to rest in perfect peace, asking that their families find comfort, and expressing hope that Ghana would prove worthy of their sacrifice.

The statement was signed by Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party.

President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday led the nation in paying tribute to the eight people who lost their lives in the tragic military helicopter crash of August 6, 2025, describing their sacrifice as one that must remain etched in Ghana’s national memory.

Speaking at the National Interfaith Memorial Service to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy, President Mahama said the solemn gathering was not only to mourn the departed but also to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to honouring their service and supporting the families they left behind.

“Today is one of those days when a nation deliberately slows its pace, not because history demands it but because memory does,” the President said.

He recalled the shock that gripped the country when news broke on the morning of August 6, 2025, that a military helicopter carrying eight distinguished Ghanaians had crashed while on national duty.

“In a single tragic moment, eight precious lives were cut short in a helicopter accident while in service of our nation,” he said, noting that the tragedy left the entire country united in grief.

President Mahama said the anniversary should serve as a reminder that the nation has a duty to remember those who dedicated their lives to public service.

“A country that forgets those who served it slowly forgets the values on which it is built. Memory is not simply about looking backwards. It is an act of national character and value,” he stated.

He observed that the eight victims came from different backgrounds and professions but were united by their commitment to serving Ghana.

“They answered the call to serve God and country. None of them boarded that helicopter expecting that it would be their final journey,” he said.

The President used the occasion to acknowledge the sacrifices made daily by public servants, many of whom work under difficult conditions and away from their families in pursuit of national development.

He urged Ghanaians to appreciate the contributions of public servants while they are alive, rather than waiting until tragedy strikes.

Addressing the bereaved families, President Mahama conveyed the deepest condolences of the government and the people of Ghana, assuring them that the nation continues to share in their grief.

“You have borne your grief with remarkable courage and dignity over the past year. Your loved ones did not die alone. They belong to all of Ghana, and Ghana will continue to remember them,” he said.

The President also called on leaders across the country to reflect on the responsibility that comes with public office, stressing that every decision taken by those in authority affects lives.

He said the painful lessons from the crash should inspire efforts to strengthen institutions, improve safety standards and invest in the welfare of personnel serving the nation.

“The greatest memorial we can build is not one made of stone or bronze. It is one that is built through responsible leadership, improved systems and a steadfast commitment to protecting those who dedicate their lives to Ghana,” he said.

President Mahama further urged Ghanaians to remain united in faith and compassion, noting that the interfaith memorial reflected the country’s shared belief that every life has meaning beyond death.

“As we leave this memorial service today, let us carry with us not only sadness, but also a sense of purpose. Let us honour the departed by serving our nation with greater integrity, placing duty above self-interest and treating one another with greater kindness,” he said.

The names of the departed eight includes;

Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence

Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed – Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation

Alhaji Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator

Dr. Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress

Samuel Aboagye – Former Parliamentary Candidate

Sergeant Leader –Peter Bafemi Anala

Flying Officer –Manin Twum-Ampadu

Sergeant -Ernest Addo Mensah

President John Dramani Mahama has called for public service in Ghana to be guided by accountability, compassion and a deep sense of responsibility, saying leadership must always place the welfare of citizens and public servants above personal interest.

Speaking at the National Interfaith Memorial Service marking the first anniversary of the August 6, 2025 military helicopter crash, President Mahama said the tragic loss of eight distinguished Ghanaians should inspire leaders at every level to reflect on the weight of public office and the impact of their decisions.

“Today should also be a moment of reflection for all of us who are entrusted with leadership. Every decision we make affects lives. Every public office is ultimately a sacred trust,” the President said.

He stressed that true leadership is measured not by the authority one holds but by the responsibility to protect and improve the lives of those who serve the nation.

“Leadership is not measured merely by the authority we exercise, but by the responsibility we bear for the lives and welfare of those who serve our nation,” he stated.

President Mahama said the memory of the eight victims places a solemn obligation on government and state institutions to strengthen public systems, improve safety standards and invest in the welfare of personnel to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

“Their memory imposes upon us a solemn obligation to build stronger institutions, to strengthen safety standards wherever necessary, to invest in the welfare of our personnel, and to ensure that no lesson from this tragedy will ever be forgotten,” he said.

He added that the greatest tribute to those who lost their lives would not be monuments, but a lasting commitment to responsible governance, improved systems and greater protection for those who dedicate their lives to serving Ghana.

Reflecting on the lives of the departed, President Mahama noted that although they came from different backgrounds and professions, they were united by a common commitment to God and country. He described their passing as a painful reminder of the sacrifices made every day by public servants who work under demanding conditions.

The President urged Ghanaians to recognise and appreciate the dedication of those who serve the nation, often at great personal sacrifice and away from their families.

He also extended the condolences of the government and the people of Ghana to the bereaved families, assuring them that the nation continues to mourn with them one year after the tragic accident.

President Mahama further encouraged citizens to draw strength from faith and national unity, describing the interfaith memorial service as a reflection of Ghana’s shared belief that every life has meaning beyond death.

One year after the tragic military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight distinguished Ghanaians, the government has organised a National Inter-Faith Memorial Service to commemorate their memory and recognise their dedication to the nation.

The solemn event took place on Thursday, August 6, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), bringing together senior government officials, religious leaders, traditional rulers, members of the Ghana Armed Forces, bereaved families, and other dignitaries in a united act of remembrance.

The National Inter-Faith Memorial Service was held to honour the lives of the eight individuals who lost their lives while carrying out official national assignments, reflecting on their commitment, patriotism, and lasting contributions to Ghana’s development.

The fatal accident occurred on August 6, 2025, when a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region during a flight from Accra to Kumasi for official engagements.

Among those who perished were Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, former Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Samuel Sarpong, and former NDC parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye.

The crash also claimed the lives of three dedicated Ghana Armed Forces personnel who formed part of the flight crew: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

During the National Inter-Faith Memorial Service, Christian and Muslim leaders offered prayers for the departed, comforted grieving families, and encouraged Ghanaians to uphold the values of selfless service, patriotism, and national unity exemplified by the deceased.

The commemoration also served as a moment of national reflection, reminding citizens of the sacrifices made by public servants and security personnel who dedicate their lives to the service of Ghana.

As the country marks the first anniversary of the tragedy, the National Inter-Faith Memorial Service stands as a symbol of gratitude, remembrance, and unity, ensuring that the legacy of the eight victims continues to inspire future generations.