The President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has addressed the nation following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed 8 lives at Adansi in the Ashanti Region.

Ghana as a whole is mourning the tragic loss of eight individuals after a helicopter crash in the general area of Sikaman near Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region. Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has declared three days of national mourning in honour of the victims.

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has directed that all flags are to fly at half-mast until further notice. Engaging the general public on August 6, Julius Debrah revealed the identities of the deceased individuals after the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) earlier reported that its airforce helicopter Z9, which took off this morning at 0912 hrs from Accra and headed for Obuasi, was off the radar.

The President and government have extended their condolences and sympathies to the family of the comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country. President John Dramani Mahama has suspended all his scheduled activities and programmes for the rest of the week, following Wednesday's national tragedy.