Pope Leo XIV has offered spiritual support and heartfelt condolences to the people of Ghana following the tragic crash of a military helicopter that claimed the lives of high-ranking officials, military personnel, and civilians. The fatal incident, which occurred on August 6 in the Ashanti region, has shaken the West African nation and drawn international expressions of mourning.
In a telegram signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and addressed to Bishop Matthew K. Gyamfi of the Sunyani Diocese, the Pope conveyed his sorrow for the victims and solidarity with all who grieve. “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV sends his condolences upon the deaths of the ministers, government officials and all who perished in the military helicopter crash,” the telegram reads. “Entrusting the souls of the deceased to the mercy of Almighty God, and with prayers for those who mourn their loss, especially their families, the Holy Father assures the nation of his spiritual closeness at this difficult time,” according to the Holy See Press Office.
The tragedy occurred when a military helicopter en route to Obuasi crashed in a remote forested area while carrying several high-profile figures. Among the dead were Ghana’s Minister of Defense, Edward Omane Boamah, and Minister of Environment, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. According to Agenzia Fides, they were traveling to the region to participate in a government effort aimed at curbing illegal mining—an issue that has environmental and ethical dimensions deeply important to Catholic social teaching on stewardship of creation.
Bishop Gyamfi, who serves as the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, expressed profound shock in response to the news. The Bishops’ Conference also released a public statement acknowledging the depth of the national loss. “We ask all Ghanaians to pray for them,” the bishops wrote, while noting their “shock to lose such brilliant minds all at once.”
The statement went on to honor the victims as “men of proven commitment, servants of the state, politicians, technocrats, and gallant officers of the Ghana Armed Forces, who gave their lives in the service of the Republic, the institutions, and the people of this country.” The bishops emphasized that “their sudden and untimely passing is not only a blow to their families and friends, but also a great loss for the nation,” according to Agenzia Fides.
In the wake of the crash, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama declared three days of national mourning. Flags are flying at half-mast, and prayers and tributes continue to pour in from across the country and around the world.
The Catholic Church in Ghana has urged the faithful to unite in prayer for the souls of the departed and for healing for the nation. Pope Leo’s message reminds the Church universal that even in the face of national tragedy, faith offers a path to hope, comfort, and solidarity.
As the Ghanaian people gather to mourn, they do so not in despair, but with the assurance that the Church—on earth and in heaven—stands beside them.
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