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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 lost their lives in the military helicopter crash on 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 in memory of the deceased, who include cabinet ministers, government officials, and members of the military.
The commemorative events 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 open to the public 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
National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Head Office
The crash resulted in the deaths of five high-ranking public officials: Minister for Defence Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and NDC National Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong.
Also on board the ill-fated Z-9 military helicopter were three Air Force personnel Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flight Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah all of whom died in the crash.
Preliminary reports indicate the helicopter was en route to Obuasi when it lost contact with ground control. All bodies have been recovered, and investigations are ongoing.
Samples of the remains have been sent to South Africa for DNA analysis to aid identification due to the condition of the bodies.
Earlier, President Mahama declared a three-day national mourning period starting Thursday, August 7, describing the deceased as national heroes who died in the line of duty.
