I was scheduled to be in the helicopter that crashed – Asiedu Nketiah

National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has revealed that he was originally scheduled to be aboard the military helicopter that crashed in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6, killing eight people, including two cabinet ministers.

The tragic accident in the Adansi area claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, and five others.

Mr Nketiah explained that a last-minute change in plans saw Dr Sarpong travel in his place to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Co-operative Mining and Skills Development Programme (COMSDEP).

Speaking while consoling one of the bereaved families, Mr Nketiah reflected on the fragility of life, saying,

“Allah does what he wants. I was supposed to be on the flight… In all things, we give thanks to him.”

He urged mourners to find comfort in faith, adding that although his decision led Dr Sarpong to take his place, “if it didn’t happen, something worse might have happened.” He encouraged families to hold onto the belief that everything happens according to divine will.