Ghana Pays Last Respects to Eight Fallen Heroes in Solemn State Funeral

Ghana united in grief and reverence today as the nation bid farewell to eight distinguished public servants who perished in a tragic helicopter crash on August 6 in the Adansi Akrofuom District. The state funeral, held at Black Star Square, was a poignant moment of national mourning and reflection.

The victims were en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (RCOMSDEP) when their aircraft went down. Among the deceased were:

Dr Edward Omane Boamah – Minister of Defence

Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed – Minister of Environment, Science and Technology

Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator

Dr Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress

Samuel Aboagye – Deputy Director-General of NADMO

Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala – Ghana Air Force

Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu – Ghana Air Force

Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah – Ghana Air Force

The interdenominational service featured Qur’anic and Biblical readings, followed by heartfelt tributes from family members, government officials, and institutional representatives. President John Dramani Mahama, flanked by Vice President Opoku-Agyemang, described the tragedy as “a wound to the soul of the nation” and called for unity in grief.

Two victims—Dr Murtala Mohammed and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed—were laid to rest earlier in Islamic burials at Burma Camp. The remaining six were interred at the Military Cemetery at Tse Addo with full military honours.

Flags flew at half-mast across Ghana, and vigils were held in multiple regions. Messages of condolence poured in from ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, all recognizing the loss as a blow to regional leadership and public service.

The ceremony drew a diverse crowd, including gospel artist Nacee, MP Dzifa Gomashie, and activist Kwame A Plus, who joined thousands in honouring the lives and legacies of the fallen.

The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for aviation safety reform and improved emergency response protocols. Civil society groups and commentators are urging the government to prioritize aircraft maintenance, pilot training, and welfare systems for public servants.