NATION MOURNS: State Funeral to Honor Military Helicopter Crash Victims on August 15
Accra, Ghana – 8 August, 2025 - A state funeral will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square in Accra to pay tribute to the eight individuals who lost their lives in the tragic military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. In a televised address to the nation on August 7,President John Dramani Mahama made the announcement, confirming the government's commitment to honoring the memories of the victims.
A week-long national mourning programme will culminate in an inter-denominational state funeral, honoring the fallen ministers, government officials, and military crew members who tragically died in the line of duty.
The state funeral will be preceded by an "Evening of Reflections and Memorial" on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the forecourt of the State House. Books of condolence will be opened from Sunday, August 10, to Thursday, August 14, 2025, at key institutions, including:
- Ministry of Defence
- Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters
- National Democratic Congress (NDC) Headquarters
- National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Headquarters
The crash, described as one of the most devastating air tragedies in recent Ghanaian history, resulted in the death of the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
Other persons who also perished in the crash included Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former Parliamentary Candidate; and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC. The three crew members, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, also died.
Initial reports indicate the helicopter was en route to Obuasi when it went off radar, prompting a swift response and search mission by military and local authorities.
Meanwhile, samples of the remains of the eight individuals who perished have been flown to South Africa for DNA analysis to aid in their identification.
Source – Lead News Online/Emmanuel Kofi Ahadzi
