Government has outlined activities to mark the first anniversary of the tragic Ghana Air Force helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight senior government officials and security personnel.

In a statement issued on Thursday, 30 July, Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the events will celebrate the memory, service and sacrifice of the victims, described as the “Departed Eight.”

The commemoration, being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, key stakeholders and alumni groups, will include the participation of the bereaved families and begin with the presentation of the state’s support package to the families of the deceased on Thursday, 30 July.

On Tuesday, 4 August, the Ministry of Defence and the Pope John Senior High School Old Boys Association (POJOBA) will hold the Dr Edward Omane Boamah Memorial Lecture at Burma Hall, Burma Camp, at 2:00 p.m. The lecture will be open to the public.

A National Inter-Faith Memorial Service will follow on Thursday, 6 August, at the UPSA Auditorium in Madina, Accra, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The service is expected to be attended by President John Dramani Mahama, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, who chairs the Armed Forces Council.

Later that day, at 4:00 p.m., the Ministry of Defence will unveil a memorial cenotaph in honour of the victims. The unveiling ceremony will be by invitation only.

The anniversary activities will conclude on Saturday, 7 August, with the “Service to the Soul” Nationwide Blood Donation Drive, which will take place at district, regional and teaching hospitals, the 37 Military Hospital and other designated centres across the country.

Government said the humanitarian initiative is intended to replenish blood supplies and save lives in memory of those who lost their lives. It urged Ghanaians, civil society organisations, religious bodies, media organisations and the general public to participate in the commemorative activities.

“The loss of these eight noble individuals remains a deeply painful chapter in our nation’s history. However, their spirit of dedication to duty must continue to inspire us as a people,” the statement said.

The victims were travelling from Accra to the Ashanti Region for an official assignment when the Ghana Air Force helicopter crashed in the Adansi area of the region on 6 August 2025. Those who died included Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, NDC National Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and members of the helicopter crew.