Rev Dr Stephen Y. Wengam, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Ghana, has shared the remarkable story of how First Lady Lordina Mahama’s firm resolve prevented President John Dramani Mahama from boarding a helicopter that tragically crashed on August 6, 2025, claiming the lives of top government and military leaders.
The incident unfolded in the days leading up to Côte d’Ivoire’s Independence Day celebrations, for which President Mahama had been invited as a guest of honour. According to Rev Wengam, he was contacted by the President’s Secretary, Dr Callistus Mahama, informing him that President Mahama would not attend a planned event but would send Vice President and Lordina Mahama instead.
Despite this arrangement, Rev Wengam felt uneasy about the change. He reached out to his colleague, Reverend Bawa, instructing him to mobilize their church’s prayer team and “reverse” the decision spiritually. Rev Wengam recounted, “I told him, I don’t accept it. Go mobilise the prayer team and pray, and reverse it.”
The matter escalated when Lordina Mahama called Rev Wengam, expressing her frustration at the President’s intention to travel. “She angrily said, ‘No way. We are coming for this programme. Don’t accept it,’” the reverend recalled. The two engaged in a tense phone conversation until President Mahama himself tried to call Rev Wengam, at which point Rev Wengam said, “Your Excellency, I understand. Your will be done.”
Eventually, Lordina Mahama confirmed their attendance at the original event, resulting in the President postponing his trip to Côte d’Ivoire by a day. This seemingly minor adjustment turned out to be a lifesaving decision. Had the President stuck to his initial plan, he would have boarded the Ghana Armed Forces helicopter that crashed the previous day.
The accident involved the military’s Z9 helicopter, which was en route to an event in Obuasi. The crash claimed the lives of leading officials: Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment, Science, and Technology Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, former Central Regional Minister Samuel Sarpong, and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate. The helicopter crew—Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu, and Sgt. Ernest Addo Mensah—also perished.
Rev Wengam publicly shared the story during a church service on August 7, 2025, explaining, “That was how it was averted; if he had come today, he would have travelled yesterday.”
This tragic event has left the nation mourning, with heartfelt tributes pouring in for the dedicated officials who died in service. Lordina Mahama’s unwavering insistence, coupled with the prayers of concerned friends, ultimately kept President Mahama from boarding the fatal flight, sparing him from the national tragedy.
