National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, popularly known as General Mosquito, has revealed that he was originally scheduled to be aboard the military helicopter that crashed in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6, claiming the lives of eight people, including top government officials.
The tragic accident claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah; Environment, Science and Technology Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna; NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong; NADMO Deputy Director-General Samuel Aboagye; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manaen Twum-Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Speaking at a recent gathering, Mr. Nketiah disclosed that a last-minute change of plans spared his life. He had been set to represent the NDC at the launch of the Responsible Co-operative Mining and Skills Development Programme (COMSDEP) in Obuasi but instead asked Dr. Sarpong to attend in his place.
“Allah does what He wants. I was supposed to be on the flight and at the last minute, I directed my vice chairman, Dr. Sarpong, to stand in for the party and he accepted,” he recounted.
The NDC Chairman reflected on the unpredictability of life, urging Ghanaians not to question divine will in times of tragedy.
“In your human ways, you may think that if I had not sent Sarpong, maybe he would be here. But who knows? God might have decided that if this was his time, he could have been knocked down by a trotro in Accra. We don’t question what Allah wants to do. In all things, we give thanks,” he said.
He added that sometimes, events that seem tragic may prevent even worse outcomes.
“Maybe if it didn’t happen, something worse might have happened,” he said, offering a note of consolation to a grieving nation.
Dr. Samuel Sarpong’s passing has left a deep void within the NDC, where he was widely respected for his dedication and service. Many have described his final assignment — stepping in for Mr. Nketiah — as a selfless act of commitment to both party and country.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into the crash to determine its cause, as the nation continues to mourn the loss of some of its most prominent leaders.
Source: TheDotNews