Deputy Director of Elections & IT of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mahdi Gibril, has indicated that the party’s return to the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) on January 28, 2024, was by the counsel of the late former Defence Minister Edward Kojo Omane Boamah.

Speaking during a media engagement on Monday, August 11, at the party’s headquarters at Adama Avenue, Accra, on the second day of the opening of the Book of Condolence for the 8 victims of the helicopter crash, the Deputy Director of Elections & IT, revealed that as a dedicated and concerned leader, the late Minister, during a meeting with the party’s election team, urged them to do all they can to ensure that John Dramani Mahama (now president) wins the 2024 elections.

According to him, following Omane’s insistence on their return, he assured him that he would speak directly to the General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, to make it happen.

“‘Let’s go to IPAC. Let’s move to IPAC. I can’t wait. Let’s move in.’ I remember the day we were supposed to go, he said. Go, I will talk to the General Secretary,” Mr Gibril stated.

Recounting his experience working within the NDC’s electoral team since 2009, the Deputy Elections director asserted that the late Dr. Omane brought “credibility, fairness, and attention to detail” to the electoral process, set a fresh path, and infused a new energy into the party’s electioneering strategies.

Dr Omane’s dynamics were a major contributory factor to the party’s resounding victory in the 2024 elections. “Leadership. I have been in elections through the NDC electoral process. I’ve been through it from 2009 to date, and I’ve worked with directors of elections. I’ve kept saying that the leadership that he brought in—credibility, fairness, detail—that is what he has brought. Different dynamics to the elections, which gave us the win. Because yesterday I was going through the chat I had with him two years ago, because next week it will be two years at the party office since we appointed him. From that time, the conversation is about “John Mahama must win the elections. We have no excuse. Whatever we have to do, we must do it,” Mr Gibril stressed.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) announced its withdrawal from the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) on April 21, 2021, through a formal statement in which the party declined an invitation from the Electoral Commission to attend an IPAC meeting scheduled to review the 2020 elections.

In the statement, the NDC cited “lack of candour, odious duplicity, and open bias” by the Jean Mensa-led Electoral Commission in favour of the New Patriotic Party as the reasons for its boycott.

Gibril’s remarks come at a time when the country is in mourning following the death of the eight heroes on August 6, exactly a week today.

Background of August 6 disasterThe Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) earlier reported that its air force helicopter Z9, which took off this morning at 0912 hrs from Accra and headed for Obuasi, was off the radar.

Hours later, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, confirmed the unfortunate demise of the 8 individuals comprising three crew and five passengers.

The deceased are Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.

As part of the 3-day national mourning, the "Evening of Reflections and Memorials" took place at the Forecourt of the State House on Saturday, August 9. The event was open to all Ghanaians, including the general public, friends, and family of the departed.

On the first day of mourning, which began Thursday, August 7, a public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency took place to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash. Members of the public, families, and friends were present. President John Dramani Mahama and the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, shed tears while laying a wreath in honour of the eight victims.

The public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash continued on August 8. It was held at the Ceremonial Garden, the Presidency. This provided more time and space for citizens unable to attend Day 1 to pay their respects and join the national act of mourning.

Last week, the samples of the remains of the deceased involved in the tragic Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on August 6 were transported to South Africa for DNA analysis to aid in their identification.

Per reports, the autopsy and identification procedures were to have been carried out by the 37 Military Hospital; however, the conditions of the bodies have called for advanced forensic processes.

Recent development

Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna—two out of the eight who perished in the August 6 helicopter crash—have been buried in accordance with Islamic Tradition, Custom and Practices.

They were buried following the arrival of the DNA results on Saturday, August 9

On Sunday, August 10, Muslim Jannaza prayers were offered at the forecourt of State House. Following that, the deceased were buried at the Military Cemetery, Accra. The Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, led the prayers.

President John Dramani Mahama and Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin attended the prayers, which were also attended by Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, religious leaders, and institutional heads, among many other Ghanaians.

At the burial site, President Mahama used the opportunity to thank all who were present and showed their sympathy to the family and country as a whole. He also expressed gratitude to the family for their patience in ensuring the DNA tests are carried out to aid the identification of the two deceased.

“Today is not a day for talking; I want to thank you for your sympathy. I want to thank the two families for their patience. I want to thank the family for accepting my decision for the two brothers to be buried here. The families are free to visit anytime they want to do so,” he added.

Meanwhile, books of condolence were opened simultaneously on Sunday, August 10, at the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, the National Democratic Congress headquarters, and the head office of NADMO. The books will be open until Thursday, 14th August 2025.

On Friday, 15th August, an inter-denominational state funeral will be held for the remaining six individuals who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident.

Minister for Health Minister Akandoh and the Inspector General of Police, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, on Sunday, August 10, received the DNA results for the remaining six deceased in the August 6 helicopter crash.

They received the results at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). Engaging the media, the Health Minister noted that the results have been received earlier due to the expedited efforts put in by the government.

The Funeral Planning Committee has encouraged members of the public to send messages of condolences and heartfelt tributes for inclusion in the official brochure. Tributes are to be sent to the email tributes@presidency.gov.gh. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, August 13 at 12:00 PM (noon) GMT.