President John Dramani Mahama has confirmed that forensic reports for all eight victims of the August 6 military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District have been received, paving the way for full burial arrangements to proceed.
Speaking at the burial of two of the victims, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and MP for Tamale Central, and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator — the President revealed that the forensic results had arrived electronically on August 9.
“The process concluded yesterday. We received the forensic reports for our brothers Murtala and Alhaji Muniru, which is why we’re able to bury them today. As I speak, we’ve also received the reports for the remaining victims. In consultation with their families, we will decide on the burial arrangements. However, a state funeral will be held on August 15 at Black Star Square for all of them,” President Mahama stated.
The remains of Dr. Murtala Muhammed and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed were laid to rest on Sunday, August 10, following Islamic Janazah prayers held at the Forecourt of the State House, led by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu.
They were later buried at the Military Cemetery near Burma Camp in Accra.
The two were among eight individuals who lost their lives when a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 military helicopter crashed en route from Accra to Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining operation.
The aircraft, which departed at 09:12 GMT, lost radar contact mid-flight, prompting a search-and-rescue operation that later confirmed all eight aboard had died. Due to the condition of the bodies, DNA samples were sent to South Africa for forensic analysis.
The victims of the crash were:
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, and MP for Tamale Central
Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
Dr. Samuel Sarpong, National Vice Chairman of the NDC
Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate
Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
In honour of the fallen, the government declared three days of national mourning beginning August 7, which included a flower-laying ceremony and a national memorial service on August 9.
President Mahama’s confirmation of the forensic reports brings closure to the identification process and signals the beginning of official farewells to the eight Ghanaians who died in service to the nation.
