NewzPresident John Dramani Mahama has called on political leaders, public officials and civil servants to embrace integrity, accountability and selfless service, saying the most meaningful way to honour the eight Ghanaians who died in last year’s military helicopter crash is to build a nation where public service is guided by responsibility rather than privilege. Delivering a reflective address at the National Inter-Faith Memorial Service in Accra on Thursday, August 6, President Mahama said the first anniversary of the tragedy should not only be a time of mourning but also a moment for leaders to examine how their decisions affect the lives of those who serve the country. He argued that the legacy of the eight departed public servants should inspire a renewed commitment to ethical leadership and institutional accountability across every level of government.
“Today should also be a moment of reflection for all of us who are entrusted with leadership, that every decision we make affects lives,” the President said. He reminded public office holders that leadership carries a moral obligation that extends beyond authority and political power. “Every public office is ultimately a sacred trust.
Leadership is not measured merely by the authority we exercise, but by the responsibility we bear for the lives and welfare of those who serve our nation.” President Mahama said the helicopter tragedy underscored the enormous sacrifices made every day by men and women serving the nation, often without public recognition. He stressed that government has a duty not only to acknowledge those sacrifices but also to create working conditions that protect public servants and enable them to perform their responsibilities safely. “Their memory therefore imposes upon us a solemn obligation to build stronger institutions, to strengthen safety standards wherever necessary, to invest in the welfare of our personnel, and to ensure that no lesson from this tragedy will ever be forgotten.” According to the President, strengthening public institutions should become a lasting response to the tragedy, ensuring that future generations of public servants benefit from improved systems and enhanced safety measures.
Rather than focusing on monuments or memorial structures, President Mahama said the most enduring legacy would be reforms that improve governance and protect lives. President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to appreciate and honour public servants while they are still serving, rather than waiting until tragedy strikes before recognising their sacrifices. Speaking at the National Inter-Faith Memorial Service held in Accra to mark one year since the military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight state officials and military personnel, President Mahama said many public servants make significant sacrifices that often go unnoticed.
He said those who dedicate their lives to public service frequently endure difficult conditions, spend long periods away from their families and take risks because of their commitment to national development. “Much of their work goes unnoticed. They spend countless hours away from their families.
They make decisions under pressure. They accept risks because they believe that Ghana’s progress is worth every effort,” he said. The President said public servants play a critical role in protecting and advancing the country, but their efforts are often fully appreciated only after tragic events occur.
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