ACCRA, Aug 8 (NNN-AGENCIES) — President John Dramani Mahama has announced that a state funeral will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square in honour of the eight individuals who perished in a tragic military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.
“On Saturday, 9th August at 5.00 pm, the nation will gather at the forecourt of the State House for an Evening of Reflections and Memorial in honour of our departed colleagues.
“Books of condolence will be opened simultaneously at the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, the National Democratic Congress headquarters, and the head office of NADMO, from Sunday, 10th August to Thursday, 14th August 2025.
“On Friday, 15th August, an inter-denominational state funeral will be held for the eight heroes at the Black Star Square. My brothers and sisters, countrymen and women, may God bless their souls, “President Mahama said in a live broadcast.
The inter-denominational funeral ceremony forms part of a week-long national mourning period dedicated to paying tribute to the victims, whom President Mahama described as “national heroes who died in the line of duty.”
The crash, which occurred on Wednesday, Aug 6, in the Adansi Akrofuom District, claimed the lives of five top government officials and three military personnel.
The crash of the Z-9 helicopter, which belonged to the Ghana Armed Forces, claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
Other victims included Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna; former Central Regional Minister Samuel Sarpong and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate.
Members of the helicopter’s crew who also perished in the crash were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Meanwhile, samples of the charred remains recovered from the scene of the tragic military helicopter crash at Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofuom area of the Ashanti Region have been flown to South Africa for further forensic examination and identification.
A brief but solemn ceremony was held at the Golden Jubilee Terminal in Accra on Thursday, August 7, 2025, before the remains were airlifted aboard Ibrahim Mahama’s private jet, Dzata.
The transfer was to facilitate DNA testing of the remains, with results expected within 6 to 12 hours. The remains were accompanied by Chief Superintendent Edward Abban, head of the Police DNA Forensic Science Laboratory at the CID Headquarters in Accra. — NNN-AGENCIES
