By Issah Olegor
As Ghana reels from the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight top government and military officials, calls for a radical shift in the country’s anti-galamsey campaign have intensified, with a leading government official demanding a full-scale crackdown on illegal mining.
At a solemn flower-laying ceremony held on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Jubilee House ceremonial grounds, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), delivered an emotionally charged address that has since sparked widespread debate.
“For the lives of these people, I would say we should go all out and finish these galamsey people,” Vanderpuye declared. “These individuals have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty to protect our environment. We must not let their deaths be in vain.”
A Tragedy Tied to the Galamsey Fight
The victims were reportedly en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) — an initiative aimed at reforming small-scale mining through regulation, skill-building, and environmental protection.
The programme, launched previously in 2024 under the Akufo-Addo administration, was being reintroduced under the Mahama-led NDC government, with a state-sponsored event scheduled for August 6, 2025, near the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi. President Mahama was expected to attend but delegated the task to his Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, who tragically died in the crash.
Other high-profile officials on board included:
Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment and MP for Tamale Central
Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
Samuel Sarpong, National Vice Chairman of the NDC
Samuel Aboagye, former NDC parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East and Deputy NADMO Coordinator
The three military crew members lost in the crash were:
Sqn. Ldr. Peter Bafemi Anala (pilot)
Flying Officer Manean Twum-Ampadu (co-pilot)
Sgt. Ernest Addo Mensah (flight engineer)
Their military helicopter, a Z-9 belonging to the Ghana Air Force, vanished from the radar and was later found wrecked in the Dampia Forest Range within the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
Reigniting the Anti-Galamsey Crusade
The mission the officials were undertaking has now taken on a new meaning — not only as a programme for responsible mining but as a symbol of martyrdom in Ghana’s prolonged and often politicized battle against galamsey.
Vanderpuye’s remarks have amplified public pressure on the government to respond with decisive, uncompromising action.
“These were not just ministers,” he said, “they were patriots committed to saving Ghana’s forests, rivers, and farmlands. If we allow this moment to pass without action, we dishonour their memory.”
His statement follows concerns that illegal mining continues to destroy vast tracts of land, pollute major rivers, and compromise public health — despite successive government efforts, military task forces, and community engagements.
Questions Raised About the Need for the Trip
The crash has also reignited criticism over the decision to relaunch an already existing programme, raising questions about the necessity of the high-profile trip.
Some critics argue that the launch — which was originally done in 2024 by the previous NPP administration — was being used for political optics rather than practical implementation.
“We have lost these lives just because of politics,” a party insider who requested anonymity said . “This initiative had already been unveiled. So why the re-launch? Why the need to send multiple ministers on a risky flight?”
National Mourning and Ongoing Investigations
A three-day national mourning has been declared from August 7 to 9, with a state funeral set for August 15. Due to the condition of the remains, DNA samples have been sent to South Africa for positive identification before burial.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Armed Forces have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the crash, including technical failures, weather conditions, and possible security threats.
Political Fallout and Party Defence
In the wake of the tragedy, national executives of the ruling NDC — including Joseph Yamin and Yakubu Abanga — have had to defend their party against allegations of backing rogue anti-galamsey taskforces that reportedly intimidate miners and extort money.
Both Yamin and Abanga have denied involvement, distancing themselves from any unlawful groups and reiterating their support for regulated, legal mining operations.
