Pope Leo XIV has conveyed his profound grief over the untimely deaths of eight individuals in a military helicopter crash in Ghana, including two government ministers.
The Pope sent his condolences to Bishop Matthew K. Gyamfi, head of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, in a telegram signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.
The telegram reads, “Pope Leo XIV sends his condolences for the deaths of the ministers, government officials, and all who perished in the military helicopter crash”.
Among the victims are Ibrahim Murtala Muhammad, Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology, and Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defense of Ghana.
Also killed were crew members Peter Bafemi Anala, Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Ernest Addo Mensah; Samuel Sarpong, vice president of the ruling National Democratic Congress party; and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, deputy national security coordinator and former agriculture minister.
In a densely forested area of the central Ashanti region, the helicopter crashed while they were its route to Obuasi to take part in an event aimed at preventing illegal mining.
Flags must be flown at half-staff during the three days of national mourning that Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has decreed, beginning Thursday, August 7.
In a statement, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference also sent its condolences to the country, the victims’ families, the president, and the parliament.
“Men of proven commitment, state servants, politicians, technocrats, and gallant officers of the Ghana Armed Forces who gave their lives in the service of the Republic, its institutions, and the people,” the bishops said of the victims.
Pope Leo XIV assured the country of his spiritual proximity during this trying period and left the deceased’s souls to the care of Almighty God in his letter.
In a telegram to the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Pope expressed his sympathies and emphasized the value of prayer and solidarity for people grieving the loss of a loved one.
Source: newsthemegh.com