Ghana will come to a solemn standstill Friday morning as the nation bids farewell to eight public servants who died last week in a military helicopter crash en route to a government event in the Ashanti Region.
A state funeral is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra, where government officials, grieving families, and citizens are expected to gather in remembrance of the victims. The crash, which occurred near Adansi on August 6, has shaken the West African country and triggered a week of national mourning.
Among the deceased are senior government and military officials, including Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Ghana’s Minister of Defence; Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister of Environment, Science and Technology; Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress.
Also lost were Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation; and three Ghana Air Force personnel—Squadron Leader Peter Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo.
The delegation was en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) when their helicopter went down under still-unclear circumstances.
Two victims—Mr. Mohammed and Mr. Limuna—received Islamic burials at the Military Cemetery at Burma Camp on August 10. The remaining six will be interred at the Military Cemetery at Tse Addo, also near Burma Camp, following Friday’s formal proceedings, which are being coordinated by the Ghana Armed Forces.
President John Dramani Mahama, speaking at a memorial held over the weekend, described the crash as “violent and unpredictable,” and called on the nation to honor the fallen not just with grief, but with resolve.
“We must not only mourn as one, but commit to healing as one,” the president said.
The ceremony will include military honors, tributes from state dignitaries, and Qur’an recitations. Officials said security will be heightened around the funeral grounds, with thousands of mourners expected to attend.
Ghana’s flag has flown at half-staff since the incident, and nationwide vigils have underscored the public outpouring of grief. The crash remains under investigation.
