President John Dramani Mahama (in black) receiving flowers
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 on August 7, 2025.
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, August 6,2025, 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.
AM/MA
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