By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
Former presidential candidate of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Kofi Akpaloo, has come under intense public criticism following controversial comments he made on Wontumi TV regarding the tragic Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash that claimed eight lives.
The crash, which occurred on August 5 in a cocoa farming area, led to the deaths of several high-ranking government officials, including the Minister for Defense, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.
Speaking during a live discussion on Wontumi TV, Akpaloo questioned the national response to the tragedy, saying:
“Why are Ghanaians behaving as if this tragedy is unprecedented? Even children d.i.e, so if these old men have died, what is the issue?”
He went on to suggest that the location of the crash is a cocoa farm which is a divine sign:
“God is not asleep. You saw where the helicopter crash occurred? A cocoa farm. God used the crash as a reminder, don’t lie to cocoa farmers.”
These remarks have sparked widespread condemnation across social media and public discourse, with many Ghanaians accusing Akpaloo of being insensitive and politicizing a national tragedy.
“This is a time for mourning, not mockery,” one social media user posted. “What kind of leader speaks like this?”
Civil society organisations and political commentators have called on Akpaloo to retract his statements and offer a public apology to the grieving families and the nation.
Government officials have so far refrained from responding directly to Akpaloo’s comments, but a senior aide at the Office of the President urged the public to remain focused on honoring the lives lost and supporting affected families.
State authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the crash, while preparations are underway for a state funeral in honor of the victims. Flags are currently being flown at half-mast across the country as Ghana mourns the fallen.
Video credit: womtumi tv
Watch the video below:
