Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings Pays Tribute to Victims of Helicopter Crash

In a deeply emotional moment marked by sorrow and reverence, former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings laid a wreath in honour of the eight gallant public servants who tragically perished in last week’s devastating helicopter crash.

The solemn ceremony took place at the Ceremonial Garden of the Jubilee House on Tuesday, August 12, where Nana Konadu—accompanied by her son Kimathi Agyeman-Rawlings and her aide, Mildred Annan Bentil—bowed her head in grief, laying flowers not just for the fallen, but for a nation in mourning.

The gesture was more than ceremonial—it was a mother’s tribute, a stateswoman’s lament, and a citizen’s farewell. In the silence that followed the laying of the wreath, the weight of national loss could be felt in the air.

Through a statement from the Office of her late husband, former President Jerry John Rawlings, Nana Konadu poured out her sorrow for the souls lost in the crash, describing the tragedy as “a wound felt by every Ghanaian heart.” Her words carried the pain of a country stunned by the sudden departure of individuals who had dedicated themselves to the service of Ghana.

“Their passing is not just a personal loss to their families—it is a shared grief for our entire nation, and even for parts of the international community that had come to know and work with them,” she said, visibly moved by the magnitude of the tragedy.

She extended her deepest sympathies to the Ghana Armed Forces, whose ranks had been painfully thinned by the disaster. Her message was one of compassion and solidarity—with the families of the deceased, with the government, and with all Ghanaians trying to make sense of the tragedy.

“These were not just names on a list. These were fathers, brothers, daughters, sons—real people who wore the flag with pride and gave their all for Ghana,” she added, her voice thick with emotion.

The accident, which occurred on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, sent shockwaves through the country. It was a day that began like any other, but ended with broken families, unanswered questions, and a cloud of sorrow that has yet to lift.

As the nation continues to mourn, Nana Konadu’s act of remembrance stands as a powerful symbol of unity in grief. Her presence at the Jubilee House garden brought comfort to many—a reminder that in times of darkness, the human spirit can still reach for grace, dignity, and hope.

In honouring the fallen, Nana Konadu reminded Ghanaians not just of what was lost, but of what must be carried forward: a renewed sense of purpose, love for country, and an unwavering respect for those who serve it to their last breath.