NPP Demands Anti-Galamsey Progress Report One Year After Helicopter Crash

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on the government to provide a detailed account of progress made in the fight against illegal mining, describing measurable results as the most meaningful tribute to the eight people who lost their lives in last year’s military helicopter crash.

In a statement marking the first anniversary of the tragedy, the opposition party honoured the victims, stressing that their deaths represented a national loss beyond political affiliations.

The military helicopter crashed on August 6, 2025, in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region while travelling to Obuasi, killing all eight occupants on board.

Among those who died were former Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, former Environment, Science and Technology Minister Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Dr Samuel Sarpong, Mr Samuel Aboagye, and three Ghana Armed Forces personnel.

The NPP expressed condolences to the bereaved families, the Ghana Armed Forces and the entire nation, noting that the victims died while undertaking a national mission to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

The party urged the government to provide evidence of achievements made over the past year, including updates on the condition of water bodies affected by illegal mining, the state of degraded forest reserves and ongoing land reclamation efforts.

It further called for the release of the official investigation report into the helicopter crash, including safety recommendations and measures taken to prevent similar incidents involving public officials and security personnel.

The NPP maintained that true remembrance should extend beyond commemorative events and must involve sustained action to protect Ghana’s environment and achieve the objectives the fallen officials were pursuing.