State funeral for helicopter crash victims set for August 15 – President Mahama
In honor of the eight people who tragically died in the military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that a state funeral will take place at Black Star Square on Friday, August 15.
A week-long national mourning program honoring the slain ministers, government representatives, and military personnel includes the interdenominational state funeral.
The President has announced that Saturday, August 9, at 5:00 p.m., an Evening of Reflections and Memorial would kick off the commemoration at the State House courtyard.
Additionally, from Sunday, August 10 to Thursday, August 14, books of condolence will be available at a number of significant institutions, such as:
The Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) headquarters
The head office of NADMO
The crash killed five high-ranking governmental officials and three military members. The victims included Minister of Defence Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of 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.
Three crew members, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, were killed in the crash.
According to preliminary investigations, the officials were on board a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter on its way to Obuasi for an assignment when the aircraft fell off radar. All eight bodies have now been found, and investigations continue.
President Mahama had previously established three days of national mourning, beginning Thursday, August 7, to honor the memory of “national heroes who died in the line of duty.”
Meanwhile, a sample of the remains was transferred to South Africa for DNA testing to identify the body.
