News of the respected clergyman’s death emerged on Friday, June 26, after it was shared by several social media users, including Kumasi-based content creator Kwabena Nsafoa, YEN.co.gh reports.

At the time of publication, the cause of Archbishop Addae’s death had not been disclosed, and his family was yet to issue an official statement.

How was Archbishop Addae’s death announced?

Nsafoa, who said he had known the late archbishop for more than three decades as a neighbour, paid an emotional tribute to him on Facebook.

Referring to him as Sofo Panyin, a title of respect for a senior pastor in the Twi language, Nsafoa described Archbishop Addae as a man who had touched many lives through his ministry.

Another Facebook user, El Son Clifford, had also shared news of the cleric’s death hours earlier, with the announcement quickly spreading across social media.

Who was Archbishop Richard Samuel Addae?

Archbishop Addae was widely respected for his contribution to Christian ministry and education in Kumasi.

He founded the Shiloh Bible College at Tanoso, which later grew into the Shiloh Archbishop Addae Theological Institute, where aspiring ministers received biblical training.

Together with his late wife, Beatrice Addae, he also established Shiloh International School at Ampabame, a private institution that educated generations of primary and junior high school pupils.

Mrs Addae, who served as the school’s proprietress, died several years before her husband.

Tributes pour in for Archbishop Addae

Following news of his death, social media was flooded with messages of condolence from former students, church members and residents of Kumasi.

Many remembered Archbishop Addae as a dedicated servant of God, mentor and community leader whose impact extended beyond the church through his commitment to education.

Here are some of the comments shared:

Afia Pokua: “Rest well Man of God.”

Apostle Okai Emmanuel: “May His gentle soul rest in peace. True servant of God.”

Nana Boateng: “He has really served well. Rest well Papa.”

Ernest Whajah: “Rest in the bosom of your maker, Papa.”

Evans Karikari: “Oh papa may your soul rest in peace.”

French transport minister Philippe Tabarot said he and interior minister Laurent Nunez were travelling to the scene of the crash, which he called a “terrible tragedy”.

Yves Seguy, the prefect of the eastern department of Meurthe-et-Moselle, said that no bystanders were injured in the incident, according to the AFP news agency .

The crash took place in a built up area near a shopping centre, AFP reports.

“The plane fell almost vertically, in the immediate vicinity of a housing estate, on the edge of the airfield,” Seguy told French broadcaster BFM, adding it was lucky there were no additional victims.

Half of the skydivers who died were nurses, Thierry Pechey, president of the Meurthe-et-Moselle branch of the Order of Independent Nurses, told BFM.

Local officials also said relatives of the victims were present at the airfield when the crash happened. They were reportedly there to watch the dive, which was a first skydiving experience for the five students.

A witness to the crash, who declined to be identified, told Reuters he saw the plane veering off to the right as he was driving past.

“Something was clearly wrong,” he said.

The man did not see the crash, due to an embankment by the side of the road, but he says he heard the sound.

When he arrived at the site, he tried to help extinguish the wreckage of the plane, which had caught fire.

“We saw right away that it was over, that they had all died instantly. There was no movement, and it was clear the impact had been too violent for there to be any survivors.”

A team of specialists was on its way to investigate the cause of the incident, Meurthe-et-Moselle department president Chaynesse Khirouni told local media.

The controversy continues to generate intense discussions across social media platforms, with users debating issues surrounding morality, privacy, and leadership accountability within religious institutions.

Authorities have also not confirmed whether any formal complaint has been lodged concerning the matter.