Remains of Eight Helicopter Crash Victims Flown to South Africa for DNA Analysis
The remains of the eight individuals who tragically lost their lives in Wednesday’s military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region have been airlifted to South Africa for DNA analysis to facilitate identification. The decision to transfer the remains abroad was made due to the condition of the bodies, which requires advanced forensic processes beyond the capabilities initially anticipated for the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, where autopsy and identification procedures were originally planned.
Among those who perished in the crash were two prominent cabinet ministers: Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence, and Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation. Their deaths have sent shockwaves through the nation, marking a significant loss to the government and the country at large.
The crash also claimed the lives of Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; and Dr. Samuel Sarpong, National Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). These individuals were key figures in their respective fields, and their passing has deepened the sense of national mourning.
Additionally, the three Air Force personnel who operated the Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter—Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flight Officer Manaen Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah—perished during the official flight to Obuasi. Their dedication to duty and ultimate sacrifice have been widely acknowledged as a profound loss to the Ghana Armed Forces.
On the evening of Thursday, August 7, a solemn reception ceremony took place at the Air Force Base in Accra, where the remains were received after being flown in from the crash site. Led by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, a high-level government delegation oversaw the arrival of the coffins, which were draped in Ghana’s national colours and escorted by a heavy military presence, underscoring the gravity of the moment.
The ceremony was steeped in solemnity, with prayers, a moment of silence, and the visible grief of senior military officers, family members, and state officials in attendance. The atmosphere captured the profound national sorrow felt across Ghana in the wake of this devastating tragedy.
In response to the loss, the government has declared a three-day period of national mourning, commencing on Thursday, August 7. During this time, all national flags are to be flown at half-mast, and official state events have been postponed as a mark of respect for the fallen.
Meanwhile, public demands for a transparent and independent investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash are intensifying. The Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) has called on the government to conduct a thorough inquiry to determine the root cause of the incident, emphasizing the need for accountability and measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
