Accra, Ghana — August 8, 2025 — Hours before he died in a military helicopter crash near Obuasi on 6 August, Sergeant Ernest Nii Addo Mensah posted a short, urgent message urging forgiveness and reflection — words that have resurfaced and are now being shared widely as the nation mourns.

The Z-9 Ghana Air Force helicopter carrying eight people — including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed — went down in the Adansi Akrofuom (Sikaman) area of the Ashanti region on the morning of 6 August 2025, killing everyone on board. The government and the Ghana Armed Forces have confirmed the deaths and described the incident as a national tragedy. 

“Clear your heart”

Screenshots and video clips of Sergeant Mensah’s last post, circulated on social media and picked up by local news outlets, show him exhorting people to resolve grudges and reconcile with those they have wronged. Media outlets quoting the message report he wrote in part:

“Call them and forgive them as a matter of urgency. Clear your heart of all grudges. The signs of the imminent Rapture is too evident.” 

The post has been shared widely on Facebook and Instagram by citizens, faith leaders and news pages, and has been cited in obituaries and tributes to the young airman. Several local outlets that published the excerpt noted how the words have prompted reflection about the fragility of life among many Ghanaians. 

Who was on the helicopter

Authorities say the helicopter departed Kotoka International Airport in Accra at about 9:12 a.m. and was bound for Obuasi for an event on tackling illegal small-scale mining. On board were five passengers — including the two ministers and senior government and security officials — and three Ghana Air Force crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin (Twum) Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Nii Addo Mensah. All eight occupants were confirmed dead. 

Official response and investigation

The Ghana Armed Forces and the Presidency immediately launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Chief of Staff Julius Debrah described the loss as a “national tragedy,” and President John Mahama declared a period of national mourning while suspending official engagements. An inter-agency team, including the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana National Fire Service, was assembled to investigate the accident. 

Search teams recovered the helicopter wreckage at the crash site; later statements from the Ashanti Regional Minister confirmed that the helicopter’s flight recorder (“black box”) had been found and recovered to assist investigators. Officials said the recorder will be analysed as part of the inquiry into what caused the aircraft to crash. 

Family reaction

Relatives of the crew have begun to speak publicly. In interviews with local media, Sergeant Mensah’s brother described the family’s grief and paid tribute to the airman’s character and faith. Local reports noted that Sergeant Mensah had married recently, and his sudden death has prompted an outpouring of sympathy across social media and within the armed forces community. 

National mourning and next steps

Parliament and political parties released statements expressing condolences, and government delegations visited families of the victims in Accra and the Ashanti region. Officials reiterated that the black box and other evidence will be central to determining whether the crash was caused by mechanical failure, human error, weather or some other factor; results of the technical investigation are expected when analysis is complete.