Ghana to Hold State Funeral for Victims of Ashanti Region Military Helicopter Crash

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that a state funeral will be held on Friday, August 15, at Black Star Square to honour the eight people who died in the military helicopter crash of Wednesday, August 6, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.

The inter-denominational ceremony will form part of a week-long national mourning programme paying tribute to the fallen ministers, government officials, and military crew.

The commemoration will begin on Saturday, August 9, with an Evening of Reflections and Memorial at the forecourt of the State House, starting at 5:00 p.m.

Books of condolence will be opened from Sunday, August 10, to Thursday, August 14, at the following locations:

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Headquarters

NADMO Head Office

The crash claimed the lives of five high-ranking state officials — Defence Minister 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 three Ghana Armed Forces crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

Preliminary findings suggest the victims were aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi for an official assignment when the aircraft went off radar. All eight bodies have been recovered, while investigations continue.

President Mahama had earlier declared three days of national mourning, beginning Thursday, August 7, in honour of what he described as “national heroes who died in the line of duty.”

Samples of the remains have been sent to South Africa for DNA testing to assist in confirming identities.