Ghanaian national flags across public institutions have been ordered back to full mast following the completion of a state funeral for eight senior public officials who perished in a military helicopter crash earlier this month.
In a directive issued Monday, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah instructed government agencies to restore flag positions to normal, signaling the official end of a national mourning period declared after the August 6 incident in the Ashanti region.
The crash, which drew an outpouring of condolences from both domestic and international communities, claimed the lives of several high-profile government and military figures, including Defense Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
In a statement, the Office of the President expressed “profound gratitude” to citizens, traditional authorities, faith-based leaders, diplomatic representatives, and civil society for their “overwhelming support” during the crisis.
“We are deeply moved by the outpouring of solidarity shown across the nation and beyond,” the statement said. “Your messages of sympathy, your attendance at the state funeral, your practical assistance, and the many acts of kindness extended to the bereaved families have provided great consolation in this time of sorrow.”
Among the victims were also senior political and security personnel, including National Democratic Congress Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, and three Air Force officers.
The government noted that the state funeral, held over the weekend, was executed with “dignity and compassion,” and was supported by both public institutions and private organizations.
As part of ongoing relief efforts, Stanbic Bank Ghana announced a contribution of GHS500,000 (approximately $42,000) to a newly established Children’s Support Fund, which will provide financial assistance to the children of the deceased officials.
“As we return to the duties of resetting Ghana and building the country we want,” the presidency stated, “let us remain united in prayer, comfort one another, and continue to support the families affected by this tragedy.”
The incident marks one of the gravest losses of top-tier government personnel in Ghana’s recent history and has prompted renewed calls for aviation safety reviews within the country’s military fleet.
