NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah Escapes Tragic Helicopter Crash, Reflects on Fate and Faith
In a harrowing revelation, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and often referred to as General Mosquito, disclosed that he was initially scheduled to be aboard the helicopter that tragically crashed, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals, including prominent government ministers.
The catastrophic incident occurred on Wednesday, August 6, in the Adansi region of the Ashanti Region, claiming the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah; Environment, Science and Technology Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna; NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong; NADMO Deputy Director-General Samuel Aboagye; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manaen Twum-Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
During a recent event, Mr. Nketiah shared that a last-minute decision had prevented him from boarding the ill-fated flight. He had instructed Dr. Sarpong to represent the NDC at the launch of the Responsible Co-operative Mining and Skills Development Programme (COMSDEP) in Obuasi instead.
“Allah does what he wants. I was supposed to be on the flight, and last minute, I directed my vice chairman, Dr. Sarpong, to go in my stead, and he graciously accepted,” he remarked.
Emphasizing the unpredictability of life, Nketiah framed the tragic event within a spiritual perspective, encouraging those grieving to find solace in their faith. He expressed, “In your human ways, you may be thinking that if I had not sent Sarpong, maybe he would be here. But who knows? God has a plan, and we should not question it… Therefore, in all things, we give thanks.”
His reflections provided a moment of introspection, suggesting that while the loss is profound, the outcome could have been even more devastating. “Maybe if it didn’t happen, something worse might have occurred,” he added, offering a measure of comfort to many Ghanaians grappling with the tragedy.
The passing of Dr. Samuel Sarpong has left a significant void in the NDC, as he was a key leader in the party. His decision to stand in for Chairman Nketiah is being seen as a final act of dedication to both the party and the nation.
In the wake of the crash, authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to uncover the cause of this tragic disaster.
