The government has announced a series of national activities to commemorate the first anniversary of the 6 August 2025 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight senior public officials and military personnel.

In a statement issued by the Presidency, government said the activities would begin on Thursday, 30 July and seek to honour the memory, service and sacrifice of the victims, collectively described as the “Departed 8.”

The Presidency said the anniversary would provide an opportunity for the nation to “pause to remember, honour, and pay tribute to the selflessness, service, and sacrifice” of the deceased.

The programme has been organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, key stakeholders and alumni groups in solidarity with the bereaved families.

The activities begin on Thursday with the official presentation of state support to the families of the victims, according to the statement signed by Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu.

On Tuesday, August 4, the Ministry of Defence and the Pope John Senior High School Old Boys Association (POJOBA) will organise the Dr Edward Omane Boamah Memorial Lecture.

The lecture will be held at Burma Hall, Burma Camp, Accra, from 2 p.m. and will be open to the public.

The main national commemoration will take place on Thursday, August 6, with an interfaith memorial service at the UPSA Auditorium in Madina, Accra.

The service is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m.

President John Dramani Mahama, Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Chair of the Armed Forces Council, are expected to attend.

Government officials, members of the security services and relatives of the deceased are also expected to participate.

Later that day, at 4 p.m., the Ministry of Defence will unveil a memorial cenotaph in honour of the victims. The ceremony will be by invitation.

The commemorative programme will conclude with a nationwide blood donation exercise dubbed “Service to the Soul.”

The exercise will take place on Saturday, August 7, at district, regional and teaching hospitals across the country, as well as the 37 Military Hospital and other designated centres.

Government said the initiative is intended to replenish blood banks and save lives in memory of the eight victims.

“The Government calls on all Ghanaians to take part in the ‘Service to the Soul’ Nationwide Blood Donation Drive on Saturday, 7 August 2026, by visiting the nearest health facility to give blood,” the statement said.

“This is an appropriate and life-saving way to pay tribute to our fallen heroes.”

The Presidency described the August 6, 2025 crash as “a deeply painful chapter in our nation’s history” and urged Ghanaians to unite in prayer, patriotism and support for the bereaved families.

It said the government would continue efforts to ensure that the memory and service of the victims inspire future generations.