President John Dramani Mahama led a high-ranking government delegation to Obuasi on Saturday for the state funeral of Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director General of Ghana’s National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), one of eight officials who died in a helicopter crash on August 6.
The ceremony, held with full state and traditional honors, brought together political leaders, traditional rulers, and mourners from across the country to pay final respects to a public servant widely described as competent, humble, and deeply committed to national service.
Mr. Aboagye was traveling with seven other government officials when their military helicopter went down in the forested outskirts of Adansi Akrofrom in the Ashanti Region. The crash, still under investigation, claimed the lives of key members of President Mahama’s administration, including Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah.
Saturday’s funeral in Obuasi drew representation from both the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). President Mahama, who also serves as leader of the NDC, was accompanied by senior ministers, party executives, and the Mayor of Kumasi. Their attendance underscored the magnitude of the loss, both personal and institutional.
Among other notable attendees were Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, a senior NDC figure; Kojo Bamba, National Operations Officer of the NPP; and Member of Parliament for Adansi Akrofrom Joseph Azumah, who delivered a moving tribute lauding Mr. Aboagye as “an intelligent and hardworking politician” whose absence would be deeply felt.
Former Savannah Regional Minister Saeed Muaz Jibril recalled Mr. Aboagye’s professionalism and grace under pressure, while emphasizing his steady hand in times of national crisis.
Traditional leaders were also prominently represented. The Ashanti Regional Gonja Chief, Chief Sulemana Jawula, attended on behalf of the Yagbonwura, while Okofo Nana Kwabena Bonsu, Chief of Adansi Dompoase, offered condolences on behalf of the Adansi traditional area.
The funeral followed a candlelight vigil held Friday evening, where family members, local officials, and sympathizers—including Obuasi East Municipal Chief Executive Adzowu Kofi William and Council of State Member Betty Mould-Iddrisu—gathered in remembrance.
Mr. Aboagye’s passing, along with those of his fellow passengers, marks one of the gravest losses to Ghana’s political and security establishment in recent years. Other victims of the crash included Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed; NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
