Summary of Events Following Confirmation of Deaths of Defence and Environment Ministers, Six Others in Military Helicopter Crash
Following the confirmation of the deaths of Ghana’s Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, along with six others in a military helicopter crash, a series of significant national and diplomatic developments have unfolded.
The helicopter, which was enroute to Obuasi for the official launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Armah Kofi Buah, went down in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
Persons Confirmed Dead:
1. Dr Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence
2. Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed – Minister for Environment
3. Alhaji Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
4. Dr Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman, NDC
5. Mr Samuel Aboagye – Former Parliamentary candidate
6. Squadron leader Peter
7. Flying Officer Twum Ampadu
8. Sergeant Ernest Addo
The following are the events that occurred after the confirmation of the deaths of the 8 persons onboard the helicopter by the Office of the Presidency.
Vice President Visits Families of Helicopter Crash Victims
Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has paid visits to the families of all eight victims of Wednesday’s fatal military helicopter crash. The visits were to officially inform the bereaved families of the tragic loss of their relatives and offer the government’s condolences.
African Leaders, Former Presidents Commiserate with Ghana Over Helicopter Crash
Condolences have poured in from across Ghana and abroad following the tragic loss of lives in the military helicopter crash. The Parliament, Council of State, Former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo, as well as Presidents Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria and Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, have all extended sympathies to President Mahama, the bereaved families and the people of Ghana.
Bodies of Crash Victims Retrieved and Flown to Accra
A combined team of military, national security and medical personnel retrieved the remains of the eight crash victims from the accident site in the Adansi Akrofuom District. The bodies were airlifted to the Air Force Base in Accra on Wednesday evening and received by a government delegation led by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah.
President Declares Three Days of National Mourning
President John Dramani Mahama has declared three days of national mourning in honour of the eight individuals who perished in the military helicopter crash. During this period, all national flags are to be flown at half-mast across the country.
Dr Murtala Mohammed to Be Buried in Tamale Today
NorvanReports understands that the family of the late Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, has taken custody of his remains. His final burial rites, in line with Islamic customs, are scheduled to take place at 10:00am today in Tamale Central.
