Thousands of mourners have arrived at Independence Square in Accra for the state funeral for the eight victims of the helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, including two ministers.
On board the Z-9 helicopter were Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence, and Alhaji Dr Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology.
Others were Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; and Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
The rest are Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force, and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.
They were on their way to Obuasi for a national assignment on illegal mining, also known as galamsey, an existential threat to Ghana, when the aircraft crashed at Sikaman in the Adansi District in the Ashanti Region.
The state funeral would be largely military service under the auspices of the Ghana Armed Forces for the chopper crash victims.
There will be a pre-burial service during which tributes will be read in addition to Quran recitations.
The second part will be the main funeral and burial service, after which the bodies of the six other victims will be interred at the Military Cemetery at Tse Addo, near Burma Camp.
The cold August morning has added to the solemn and sombre atmosphere filled with grief at the funeral grounds as the nation’s leadership, the bereaved families, and citizens from all walks of life converge to bid farewell to the departed heroes.
The death of the eight compatriots stirred a wave of national mourning and reflection. With flags flying at half mast, institutions and groups bearing a direct relationship with the victims have held separate vigils and ceremonies to honour their memories.
A three-day national mourning was declared by President John Mahama earlier, climaxing with a memorial ceremony in honour of the eight heroes at the forecourt of the State House.
The State, on August 10, held an Islamic burial for the late Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Murtala and Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed. Their bodies were interred at the Military Cemetery at Burma Camp.
