President John Dramani Mahama has announced that a state funeral will be held on Friday, August 15, at the Black Star Square to honour the eight individuals who perished in a military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
The inter-denominational funeral will mark the culmination of a week-long national mourning programme in tribute to the decreased, comprising government officials, ministers, and military personnel.
The commemoration begins with an Evening of Reflections and Memorial on Saturday, August 9, at 5:00 p.m. at the forecourt of the State House.
Books of condolences will be made available to the public from Sunday, August 10, to Thursday, August 14, at the following locations:
Ministry of Defense
Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Headquarters
NADMO Head Office
The fatal crash claimed the lives of five high-ranking government officials and three military personnel. The victims include:
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence
Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed – Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
Samuel Aboagye – Former parliamentary candidate
Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of the NDC
The three crew members were:
Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
Preliminary investigations indicate the victims were traveling in a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi for official duties when the aircraft lost radar contact. All eight bodies have been recovered, and investigations are still underway.
As part of identification efforts, samples of the remains have been sent to South Africa for DNA testing.
President Mahama earlier declared a three-day national mourning period starting Thursday, August 7, in honour of what he described as “national heroes who died in the line of duty.”
