President Mahama Confirms Receipt of Forensic Reports on Victims of Military Helicopter Crash
President John Dramani Mahama has confirmed that forensic reports on all eight victims of the August 6 military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region have been received, paving the way for their burial.
Speaking at the burial of two of the victims — Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and MP for Tamale Central, and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator — President Mahama disclosed that DNA analyses conducted in South Africa had been concluded and results delivered electronically.
“Happily, that process was concluded yesterday [August 9]. We received the forensic results for our brothers [Murtala and Alhaji Muniru], and that is why we have come to bury them ahead. As I speak, the forensic reports for the rest have also arrived. In consultation with the families, we will decide how their funerals will be held. But, as we have said, on August 15 we will hold a state funeral for all of them,” the President announced on Sunday, 10 August.
The crash, which claimed the lives of all eight aboard, occurred while the Z-9 military helicopter was en route from Accra to Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining operation. The aircraft departed at 09:12 GMT but went “off the radar” shortly after, according to the Ghana Armed Forces.
The victims included Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong. The three crew members who perished were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
In accordance with Islamic tradition, Janazah prayers for Dr Murtala Muhammed and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed were led by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra. They were interred at the Military Cemetery near Burma Camp.
The government has declared a three-day national mourning period, marked by a flower-laying ceremony on 7 August and a memorial service on 9 August. A state funeral for all the victims is scheduled for Friday, 15 August 2025, at Black Star Square in Accra.
List of Victims
Dr Edward Omane Boamah — Minister for Defence
Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed — Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; MP for Tamale Central
Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed — Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
Dr Samuel Sarpong — National Vice Chairman, NDC
Samuel Aboagye — former parliamentary candidate
Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala — pilot
Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu — co-pilot
Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah — flight engineer
