Asiedu Nketia Speaks on NPP's Decision to Withdraw From Tamale Central
- The NPP has withdrawn from the Tamale Central by-election in honour of the late Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed
- Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has welcomed the decision but urged party members to remain calm
- Dr Murtala Mohammed was among the eight Ghanaians who died in a helicopter crash on August 6 near Obuasi
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The Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has responded to the opposing New Patriotic Party's (NPP) decision to withdraw from the Tamale Central by-election.
On Monday, August 11, 2025, the formal opposition announced in a press statement that it would not field a candidate in the impending Tamale Central by-election in honour of the late Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.
Source: UGC
The Tamale Central by-election was necessitated by the death of Dr Murtala Mohammed, the late Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, in a helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Speaking at the final funeral rites of the late MP in Tamale on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, the NDC chairman welcomed the NPP's decision.
While commending the NPP, Chairman Nketia also cautioned the NDC members of the Tamale Central constituency against rushing to contest the seat.
“We thank our brothers in the NPP for declaring that they won’t contest us in Tamale Central. I beg our party members not to rush into contesting the Tamale Central constituency. Let us stay calm and not disrupt the funeral rites of our fallen heroes,” he was reported to have said on 3News.
He further stated that the party would decide on the by-election in the coming days, when the dust settles after the tragic accident that took the life of Dr Murtala Mohammed.
“The party will meet after the funeral and set timelines to get a replacement for the late Murtala Mohammed,” he stated.
Eight Ghanaians die in tragic helicopter crash
The helicopter crash, which occurred at Adansi Obuasi, claimed the lives of eight Ghanaians, including two Ministers of State and three military personnel.
The victims included Ghana’s Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Deputy National Security Coordinator, Limuna Muniru, former Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Samuel Sarpong, and former NDC parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East, Samuel Aboagye.
Military personnel who lost their lives in the crash were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Muslim victims of helicopter crash buried
The late Dr Murtala Mohammed, together with Deputy Director General at National Security, Alhaji Lumina Muniru, was buried on Sunday, August 10, in Accra.
However, the three-day adua (final funeral rites) were held in Tamale on Tuesday, and were attended by a high-profile delegation from the NDC led by Asiedu Nketia.
Other members of the NDC delegation included the Interior Minister, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Armah Kofi Buah, Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf, Deputy Lands Minister, Yussif Sulemana, and Deputy Roads Minister, Alhassan Suhuyini.
Source: UGC
Ada MP speaks on helicopter crash
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the Member of Parliament for Ada and Deputy Majority Chief Whip, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, had shared fresh details of the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight prominent Ghanaians.
Speaking on Okay FM, she stated that the aircraft had exploded mid-air before falling, killing five Ghanaian officials and three crew members. The parliamentarian called for a full probe and the public release of the data on the chopper black box.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
