Ghana will today, Friday, August 15, hold final funeral rites for six of the eight people who perished in the Adansi military helicopter crash.
The victims lost their lives on Wednesday, August 6, when a Ghana Armed Forces aircraft transporting them to Obuasi for an anti-galamsey operation went down.
President John Dramani Mahama, in a national address on Thursday, August 7, confirmed the tragic news, noting that the victims had been on official duty when the accident occurred.
The deceased include:
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Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence
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Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed – MP for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology
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Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
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Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman, NDC
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Samuel Aboagye – Deputy Director-General, NADMO
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Squadron Leader Peter Anala – Ghana Air Force
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Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu – Ghana Air Force
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Sergeant Ernest Addo – Ghana Air Force
Two of the victims — Dr. Murtala Mohammed and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna — were laid to rest earlier on Sunday, August 10, in accordance with Islamic tradition. Janazah prayers were held at the Forecourt of the State House before their burial at the Military Cemetery in Tse Addo.
Programme for the State Ceremony
At a press briefing on Thursday, August 14, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations outlined arrangements for the state funeral, which will be conducted by the Ghana Armed Forces. The service will begin with three separate burial services, including the reading of tributes and recitations from the Holy Qur’an, followed by the main funeral and burial rites.
The pre-burial session is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., after which the state service will commence. The Vice President is expected to arrive at 8:50 a.m., followed by the President at 9:00 a.m. The three-hour programme will feature biographies of the deceased, tributes from their families, and remarks from senior government officials.
After the ceremony, the remains of the six will be transported to the Military Cemetery at Tse Addo for interment. The Ghana Armed Forces will work alongside the churches of the departed to conduct the final burial rites.
Logistics and Security Measures
To ease congestion on the route to the cemetery, buses will be provided for the families and selected mourners. Organisers are expecting a large turnout at Black Star Square, with thousands of mourners and dignitaries from Ghana and abroad anticipated.
According to the Deputy Chief of Staff, seating arrangements will be clearly marked to maintain order, and mourners will be required to remain in their assigned areas during the service. The inner perimeter will be restricted to accredited photographers and videographers, while other media personnel will be stationed in a designated press zone.
He further announced that heavy security will be deployed, not only due to the presence of the President and Vice President but also to safeguard all attendees. Vehicular access will be restricted, with designated parking areas provided. Mourners will be expected to walk from these points to the venue.
In his remarks, the Deputy Chief of Staff appealed for decorum, urging the public to cooperate with security and protocol officials to ensure a dignified farewell for the national figures.
