The family of the late Samuel Aboagye, a former deputy director at the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East, has dragged his widow, Abigail Salami, to the Obuasi District Court over her alleged refusal to allow a DNA test to be conducted on her child.
The family claims the DNA test is necessary to help establish the paternity of the child, as the wife was said to have refused to allow a DNA test to identify Aboagye’s remains following the tragic August 6, 2025, helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including that of the NADMO official.
According to family sources, DNA samples were requested by authorities to confirm the identities of the victims. While one of Aboagye’s children reportedly participated in the testing process, the widow allegedly failed to present her child for the same purpose.
The widow, who currently resides in the United States, has reportedly ignored repeated appeals from the family to make the child available for testing. Family representatives said her refusal has delayed the settlement of inheritance and estate matters.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a relative of the late Aboagye expressed frustration over the situation, saying the DNA verification is critical for closure.
“We have been patient all this while, but her refusal to cooperate has made it difficult for us to move on or complete the necessary formalities,” the relative said.
The family has, therefore, filed a suit seeking a court order compelling the widow to produce the child for the DNA test.
The case was first heard at the Obuasi District Court, presided over by Mr Kofi Owusu Sekyere, and has been adjourned to December 23, 2025, for further proceedings.
While the widow has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit, reports indicate that her legal team may contest the family’s claim on jurisdictional grounds, given that she currently resides outside Ghana.
Some legal experts note that the court’s decision could set a significant precedent regarding posthumous DNA testing and the rights of families in verifying biological relationships for inheritance purposes.
In Ghana, such tests are often conducted to confirm parentage in cases involving estate distribution, child custody, or identification of accident or disaster victims.
The tragic helicopter crash, which occurred at Broforyedu in Obuasi, Ashanti Region, shocked the nation and led to days of mourning across the country.
Samuel Aboagye was described by colleagues as a dedicated public servant who played a key role in coordinating disaster response efforts.
—Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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