State Funeral for Victims of Military Helicopter Crash Scheduled for August 15 – President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that a state funeral will be held on Friday, August 15, at the Black Star Square in Accra to honour the eight individuals who perished in the military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6.
The inter-denominational ceremony forms part of a week-long national mourning programme in tribute to the fallen ministers, senior government officials, and military personnel.
According to the President, commemorations will commence on Saturday, August 9, with an Evening of Reflections and Memorial at the forecourt of the State House, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Books of condolence will be opened from Sunday, August 10, to Thursday, August 14, at the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, National Democratic Congress (NDC) headquarters, and the head office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
The crash claimed the lives of Minister for Defence Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong.
Also on board were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, who served as crew members.
Preliminary investigations indicate the victims were travelling aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi for an assignment when the aircraft went off radar. All eight bodies have been recovered. Samples of the remains have been flown to South Africa for DNA analysis to confirm identities.
President Mahama had earlier declared three days of national mourning from Thursday, August 7, describing the victims as “national heroes who died in the line of duty.”
