President Mahama Announces State Funeral for Crash Victims at Black Star Square on August 15, 2025

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that a state funeral will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square in Accra to honour the eight Ghanaians who lost their lives in the recent military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.

The President made the announcement in a televised national address on Thursday, August 7, stating that the funeral, which will be interdenominational in nature, forms part of a week-long programme of national mourning to pay tribute to the distinguished public servants and military personnel who died in the line of duty.

According to President Mahama, the state funeral will serve as the final and most solemn moment of the national mourning activities. Prior to that, an Evening of Reflection and Memorial will be held on Saturday, August 9, at 5 p.m. at the forecourt of the State House in Accra. The memorial will bring together political leaders, members of the security services, religious organisations, civil society actors, traditional authorities, and ordinary citizens to offer prayers and tributes to the departed.

As part of efforts to allow Ghanaians from all walks of life to express their sympathies and pay their last respects, books of condolence will be opened at key public institutions from Sunday, August 10, to Thursday, August 14. The centres designated for this purpose include the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Headquarters, and the head office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).

The President urged the nation to come together in unity and compassion during this period of mourning. He said the loss suffered by the nation transcended politics and called on all Ghanaians to rise above divisions and show collective support for the bereaved families and institutions affected by the tragedy. He stressed that the victims had served Ghana with distinction and honour, and deserved to be remembered with dignity.

The eight individuals who perished in the crash were Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, who was the pilot; Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, the co-pilot; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, the flight engineer.

They were all aboard a military aircraft on a duty-related mission when it crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. The news of the crash sent shockwaves across the nation, triggering widespread mourning and an outpouring of tributes from both domestic and international dignitaries.

President Mahama confirmed that both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder had been recovered from the wreckage. He also disclosed that the remains of all eight victims had been retrieved, and that biological samples had been flown to South Africa for DNA testing to assist in the official identification process. He assured the nation that a full investigation was underway, with international aviation experts working alongside local authorities to determine the cause of the accident. The government, he said, was committed to ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the investigation.

In concluding his national address, President Mahama reaffirmed his government’s support to the bereaved families, the Ghana Armed Forces, and the affected ministries. He noted that the country would stand with them in their grief and work to preserve the legacies of those who had fallen in service to the Republic. He called on all citizens to use the period of mourning to reflect on the values of service, sacrifice, and patriotism exemplified by the victims.

As preparations continue toward the August 15 funeral, the nation remains united in sorrow, bracing to bid farewell to eight patriots who paid the ultimate price while serving their country.