STATE FUNERAL FOR AUGUST 6 HELICOPTER CRASH VICTIMS SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 15 – MAHAMA
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the state funeral for the eight victims of the August 6 military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District, Ashanti Region, will be held on Friday, August 15, at the Black Star Square in Accra.
The inter-denominational ceremony will form part of a week-long national mourning programme to honour the fallen ministers, government officials, and military crew members.
According to the President, the commemoration will begin with an Evening of Reflections and Memorial on Saturday, August 9, at 5:00 p.m., at the forecourt of the State House.
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 top government 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 and three military officers: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Preliminary investigations reveal the victims were on board a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter bound for Obuasi when the aircraft went off radar. All bodies have since been recovered, and samples of the remains have been sent to South Africa for DNA testing to confirm identification.
President Mahama, who earlier declared three days of national mourning starting Thursday, August 7, described the deceased as “national heroes who died in the line of duty.”
