Coordinator of the District Highway Enchancment Programme (DRIP), Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has known as for pressing motion towards unlawful mining (“galamsey”) within the wake of the helicopter crash that claimed eight lives.
Based on Vanderpuye, the deceased had “sacrificed their lives” of their dedication to ending galamsey, and probably the most becoming tribute could be a decisive and uncompromising crackdown on the menace.
Talking at a flower-laying ceremony on Friday, August 8, 2025, he declared:
For the lives of those individuals, I’d say we should always go all out and end these galamsey individuals. I’ll assist any choice to go all out on this scenario.
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These individuals have sacrificed their lives for the sake of ending galamsey. In the event that they’ve made that sacrifice for us as a rustic, now we have no excuse however to finish galamsey.
Visibly moved, Vanderpuye confused that the nation should deal with the lack of such patriots as a turning level within the battle towards environmental destruction.
I want I had the authority; it will be struggle. We will’t lose these individuals and nonetheless permit others to stay within the forests and rivers, destroying our surroundings
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He added.
Background of the tragedy
On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter crashed within the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Area, killing 5 high-ranking authorities officers and three army personnel.
Among the many useless have been Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Atmosphere, Science, Know-how, and Innovation Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Muniru Mohammed (appearing Deputy Nationwide Safety Coordinator), Samuel Aboagye (former MP), and Samuel Sarpong (vice chairman of the NDC).
Navy casualties included Squadron Chief Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
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Chief of Employees Julius Debrah described the incident as a “nationwide catastrophe” at a press briefing, saying that every one nationwide flags could be flown at half-mast till additional discover in honour of the victims.
Preliminary stories point out that the helicopter, which was en path to Obuasi, went off radar shortly earlier than the deadly crash.
