The entertainment industry was duly represented at the wreath-laying ceremony held in honour of the eight gallant national leaders and officials who died in the recent helicopter crash.
Spanning from arts to tourism, these individuals, most of whom had close ties with the deceased, were seen in an utterly solemn state, with some crying profusely.
Led by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Abeiku Santana, National Coordinator for the Black Star Experience, Rex Omar, and others, these personalities took part in the ceremony and mourned alongside their colleagues in government.
The wreath-laying formed part of a three-day national mourning period declared by the government.
It was a moment of national grief as Ghanaians gathered to pay tribute to the eight lives lost in the tragic military helicopter crash that shook the country on August 6, 2025.
Among the mourners were top government officials, military representatives, families, members of the creative arts sector, and the general public.
Here are some creative arts stakeholders who were spotted at the wreath-laying event:
Abla Dzifa Gomashie
The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, was one of the first entertainment-linked figures spotted at the ceremony.
Dressed in all-black, complete with a headscarf and dark shades, it was evident, even through her sunglasses, that she was struggling to hold back tears.
While her colleague, MP Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, granted an interview to GhanaWeb, Gomashie stood quietly, overwhelmed by the moment. She eventually broke down in tears, which rolled down her cheeks.
Abeiku Santana
Media personality and Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Abeiku Santana, was also present and visibly shaken. He stood silently before the pictures of the deceased, but his composure soon gave way to loud sobs.
He removed his glasses and wept like a child, tears streaming down his face in a moment of overwhelming emotion.
Bernice Ansah
Gospel musician Bernice Ansah’s grief was perhaps the most heart-wrenching. She knelt down in front of the portrait of the late Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, sobbing uncontrollably and calling out his name.
According to Bernice, Dr Boamah once helped her during a critical moment in her life.
A man was later seen trying to lift her from the floor as she struggled to regain her composure.
Rex Omar
Veteran musician and National Coordinator for the Black Star Experience, Rex Omar, also attended the ceremony. Although he remained composed, he took a moment to speak to the media after paying his respects.
He extended his condolences to the bereaved families and called for a full-scale investigation into the crash.
According to him, the nation owes it to the victims, and to itself, to understand exactly what went wrong.
Helicopter Tragedy: Abeiku Santana breaks down in tears during wreath-laying ceremony
Cecilia Marfo
On August 7, 2025, gospel singer Cecilia Marfo delivered not just tears, but a message of deep reflection.
She urged Ghanaians to look inward and upward for hope, rather than seeking solutions abroad. According to her, Ghana’s development lies not in fleeing to foreign lands, but in unity, prayer, and faith.
“We must seek divine help to rebuild our nation,” she declared.
Gospel musician, Cecilia Marfo has called on citizens to focus on praying in this crucial times, towards the development of the country rather than seeking greener pastures abroad, as a developed nation is for the betterment of all citizens. pic.twitter.com/6Y9gtSBbZU
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) August 7, 2025
AK/EB
