Posthumous Promotions Hollow Without Tackling Galamsey – Afenyo-Markin
The Minority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has said the posthumous promotions of three Ghana Air Force personnel who died in the August 6 military helicopter crash will mean little if the government fails to decisively tackle illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The three servicemen, who perished alongside five other high-profile individuals in the crash, were honoured by President John Dramani Mahama for their sacrifice to the nation.
They are Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Under the promotions, Squadron Leader Anala was elevated to Wing Commander; Flying Officer Twum-Ampadu was promoted to Flight Lieutenant; and Sergeant Mensah was promoted to Flight Sergeant.
Speaking at the Grand Durbar Homecoming and Handing-Over Ceremony of the Asante Students Union at the University of Ghana on Sunday, August 17, 2025, Afenyo-Markin stressed the need for urgent and uncompromising measures against galamsey:
“Posthumous honours, while deserving, does not finish what they started. These eight died in an effort to fight galamsey. Their sacrifices demand that we finally win this matter against illegal mining.
“The Mahama administration must act with fierce urgency, not just for the environment but to honour the eight people who paid the ultimate price. With every day of delay, weak response, every compromise with illegal miners betrays their sacrifice,” he said.
