State Funeral for Military Helicopter Crash Victims Set 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 to honour the eight individuals who perished in the tragic military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.

The inter-denominational ceremony forms part of a week-long national mourning programme for the fallen ministers, government officials, and military crew members.

According to the President, the commemoration will commence with an Evening of Reflections and Memorial on Saturday, August 9, at 5:00 p.m. at the forecourt of the State House. In addition, 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
• Head office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO)

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

Preliminary investigations reveal the victims were travelling aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter bound for Obuasi on an official mission when the aircraft lost contact and went off radar. All eight bodies have since been recovered.

President Mahama earlier declared three days of national mourning, starting Thursday, August 7, to honour 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 the identification process.