A/R: NADMO compiles list of farmers affected by Sikaman helicopter crash restrictions

Officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region have begun compiling a list of farmers in Sikaman who were affected by restrictions imposed on access to the forest area following the recent helicopter crash.

Some farmers have expressed concerns over their inability to access their farms due to the restrictions, raising fears of food shortages and severe impacts on their livelihoods.

Although Joseph Azumah, Member of Parliament for the area, has assured of interventions, officials of the Adansi Akrofuom District Assembly say they are still verifying the list of names to determine the actual number of farmers directly affected.

Speaking in an interview on Monday, August 11, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Adansi Akrofuom, Gariba Mohammed Mustapha, confirmed that the compilation is still ongoing.

“The list the director brought to me was too packed. They listed approximately 219 names, so we verified them. By the end of the week, we will know what to do. However, in our opinion, the number of people passing through will be approximately 20. After the announcement on returning the things found on the site, the only thing we have received is a wristwatch; the rest are just parts of the helicopter,” he said.

The August 6 crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District claimed the lives of Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate; and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Also on board were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, all of whom perished.

On Sunday, August 10, Ghanaians paid their final respects to Dr. Murtala Muhammed and Muniru Mohammed. An inter-denominational state funeral for all the victims is scheduled for Friday, August 15, at the Black Star Square.