A flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, has called on Ghanaians to allow the government to spend, particularly on budget allocations for critical national procurements.
Speaking at the state funeral of six victims of the August 6, 2025, military helicopter crash, Agyapong noted that citizens often oppose government spending on certain projects.
He urged Ghanaians to allow the state to make such investments when they are in the national interest.
He recalled that during the tenure of the NPP, which is now in opposition, Ghanaians complained about the government’s decision to purchase aircraft, describing it as wasteful.
According to him, such attitudes discourage leaders from making decisions that could save lives and strengthen national security.
Kennedy Agyapong emphasised that the recent helicopter tragedy should serve as a lesson for the country to prioritise spending in areas that directly support development and safety.
“I want to take this opportunity to console the bereaved families, but sometimes, the nation needs to understand when the state spends money on certain things. Whenever the government decides on a project, Ghanaians start criticising. But where the government spends in a way that will help the nation, we should all agree and support it,” he said during the state funeral on August 15, 2025.
“If the aircrafts are old, then we need to get new ones…so sometimes we have to understand when the state spends money on certain things; this helicopter was approved during President Kufuor’s time. It was two, but they criticised it and we had the courage to go for one,” he added.
He added that this tragedy should also help dispel the fear among politicians who hesitate to approve essential procurements due to public backlash.
Ghana bade farewell to six of the victims at a state funeral on August 15, 2025, while two Muslims among them were buried on August 10 in accordance with Islamic rites.
The crash of the Z-9 military helicopter, which belonged to the Ghana Armed Forces, claimed the lives of several prominent figures, including Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.
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Other victims were Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, former Central Regional Minister Samuel Sarpong and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate.
Members of the helicopter’s crew who also died in the crash were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
AM/SEA
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