President John Dramani Mahama has announced that a state funeral will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square to honour the eight individuals who lost their lives in the tragic military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
The interdenominational service forms part of a week-long national mourning programme to commemorate the fallen ministers, government officials, and military personnel.
According to the President, the commemorative events will commence with an Evening of Reflections and Memorial on Saturday, August 9, at 5:00 p.m. at the forecourt of the State House.
Additionally, books of condolence will be opened from Sunday, August 10, to Thursday, August 14, at the following institutions:
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Ministry of Defence
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Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters
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National Democratic Congress (NDC) Headquarters
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National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Head Office
The crash claimed the lives of five senior government officials and three military personnel. Among the deceased were:
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Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
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Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
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Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
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Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate
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Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC
The fallen military crew members were:
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Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
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Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
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Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
Initial findings suggest the victims were aboard a Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi for an official assignment when the aircraft went off radar. All eight bodies have since been recovered, and investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
President Mahama previously declared a three-day national mourning period, beginning Thursday, August 7, describing the victims as “national heroes who died in the line of duty.”
In a statement, the President reaffirmed his commitment to a full, transparent investigation into the incident.
Due to the extent of burns sustained in the crash, authorities were unable to visually identify the deceased. As a result, all eight remains have been airlifted to South Africa for forensic examination.
A forensic officer from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service accompanied the remains and will oversee the identification process. The examination will be conducted by internationally accredited forensic specialists using DNA testing and advanced identification techniques.
