Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, is lucky to be alive after a clash in engagements reportedly prevented him from attending the event, which claimed the lives of two of his ministers on Wednesday, August 6, 2027.
Mahama was scheduled to be the Special Guest of Honour at the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region of the country on Wednesday.
Media advertisements, flyers, and posters made to promote the event all carried the bold picture of the president and indicated his participation in the event.
The ceremony was said to be particularly dear to the president’s heart because of his ongoing fight against illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, in the country.
However, another event organised by the Assemblies of God church, which the president is believed to belong to, was happening simultaneously.
President Dramani was a Deacon of the Church and the president of the Men’s Fellowship before he became the president of the country.
The Assemblies of God church was holding its 1st National Pastors and Spouses Prayer Retreat between the 5th and 7th, and the president was promoted as a Special Guest of Honour as well.
The August 6th event of the church was expected to feature H.E. John Dramani Mahama and his wife, Mrs. Lordina Mahama, at the Pentecost Convention Centre in Gomoa Fetteh, Central Region.
It is speculated that the president opted for the church event and delegated two of his ministers, Dr Omane Boamah, Defence and Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, to represent him.
Unfortunately, the two ministers and other members of their delegation perished when the military helicopter taking them to the rCOMSDEP launch crashed along the way.
Ghanaians on X argued that John Dramani Mahama would have been on the ill-fated flight if he had not changed his mind about attending the rCOMSDEP event.
The president has now declared three days of mourning across the country for the fallen officials.
During the period, the national flags will be flown at half-mast.
Late Dr Omane Boamah was an only child
Meanwhile, the defence minister who died alongside seven others in the crash is said to be the only child of his mother.
His aged mother was visited by a government delegation led by Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah in her residence at Koforidua Effiduasi in the New Juaben South constituency.
May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
