Dr Murtala Muhammed was among eight people who tragically died in a helicopter crash
A vintage clip of the late Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed speaking fluent patois has resurfaced online amid national grief.
In the now-viral footage, Dr Murtala, with playful charm, was granting an interview where they discussed his musical preferences.
Dr Muhammed remarked that he loved Reggae music and even confessed that he could speak fluent patois (a language native to Jamaica).
“I like Reggae, I speak patois very well,” he professed.
When prodded by the interviewer to demonstrate it, he said, “I am a Rasta, I don’t take drugs, I don’t have the hair, but I’m a Rastafarian at heart,” he said in fluent patois, leading to laughter from the interviewer and the crew members.
He went on to explain the origins of patois, stating, “Patois is not an original language. It was created after the slave trade when the Whiteman took slaves from various African countries. So, when these former slaves discovered that their languages were lost and were being forced to speak the Whiteman’s language, they decided to create their own language by destroying the Whiteman’s language.”
This light-hearted, reflective moment has taken on deeper resonance as the nation grapples with the shock of his passing.
On August 6, 2025, Dr Murtala Muhammed was among eight people who tragically died in a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9EH helicopter crash.
Read full details of official brochure on 8 fallen heroes from tragic August 6 helicopter crash
The aircraft had departed Accra at around 9:12 AM en route to Obuasi for an official anti-illegal mining event when it disappeared from radar and was later found engulfed in flames. All on board perished.
Among the other victims were Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Limuna Mohammed Muniru, NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and three air force crew members.
The crash has been deemed one of Ghana’s deadliest air disasters in recent memory.
Helicopter Crash: Ghana seeks help of US forensic experts to aid investigations – Ablakwa
It triggered immediate national mourning and investigations are underway.
Authorities have recovered flight data and cockpit voice recorders, and have invited international experts to assist in the probe.
A Board of Inquiry has also been established, with Ghanaian and American experts expected to work together for transparency and accuracy.
Fallen Heroes Laid to Rest
Funerals for Dr Murtala Muhammed and Limuna Mohammed Muniru were held on August 10 at the State House Forecourt in Accra, attended by President Mahama, the First Lady, ECOWAS dignitaries, and the President of Sierra Leone.
Watch the video below:
ID/AE
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below:
