Six of the eight victims of the Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash at Adansi Akrufuom in the Ashanti Region would be buried today.
The interment would be preceded by a three-hour interdenominational national funeral service at the Black Star Square for the fallen heroes who lost their lives in a horrific manner while on national assignment.
Eight Ghanaians; Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah lost their lives on August 6, 2025, while on their way to Obuasi where the Ministers and others were scheduled to launch an anti-illegal mining (galamsey) initiative.
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed were laid to rest on August 10, 2025, after Islamic burial rites were performed for them at the State House.
Government has further revealed a national funeral ceremony for all the victims, slated for today, August 15, 2025.
It is scheduled to be a full military service conducted by officers of the Ghana Armed Forces, as the nation pays its last respect to the victims.
A host of dignitaries from Ghana and beyond are expected to be in attendance today as prayers are said for the deceased, their families and the nation.
Programme Lineup
Deputy Chief of Staff, Stan Dogbey, has stated that the funeral will take place in three parts; Bible and Qur’an recitations, the main service, and the burial of the remaining six victims at the Military Cemetery.
The ceremony will also feature the reading of biographies of all eight victims, followed by tributes from widows, children, government officials, and representatives of various institutions.
“The service would largely be a military service,” he said, indicating that it would be conducted by the Ghana Armed Forces and there will be three parts to the funeral programme.
He said the second part of the ceremony would be the main funeral with the pre-burial ceremony starting from 7:30am and would continue to 9:00am.
“We expect the Vice President to arrive at the funeral grounds at 8:50am in the morning and that will be followed by the President at 9:00am where the state service will begin,” he said.
Mr. Dogbey also disclosed that arrangements have been made to provide buses to convey the families that would be heading to the Military Cemetery for the burial.
“The idea is to reduce the traffic en route to the cemetery and also manage the traffic at the cemetery. And so, buses will be provided to the six families and a few others who would be able to join will join,” he explained.
He further indicated that there will be a heavy security deployment obviously, not because the President and the Vice President are in attendance, but also for the safety of all mourners that are going to be at the ceremony.
“We therefore entreat the mourning public to collaborate with the security officers as you relate to their walking in, their parking and others,” Mr. Dogbey added.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak