Fallen heroes body samples flown to South Africa for DNA analysis and identification
Samples of the bodies of victims of last Wednesday’s helicopter crash have been sent to South Africa for further forensic examination.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, led a delegation of high-ranking government officials to the Kotoka International Airport to see off the team accompanying the bodies of the helicopter crash victims to South Africa.
“We thank God and all Ghanaians for the solidarity and support.
This is the first of this kind of tragedy, and we are grateful for the support,” the minister told newsmen shortly after the aircraft took off yesterday after 5 p.m.
He explained that to speed up the investigation, the bodies had to be sent for further examination and analysis.
He thanked the families for the support and the cooperation.
“We know they are grieving and are eager to inter their loved ones, but we are happy for the support and cooperation,”
Mr Mohammed-Mubarak said.
He said it should not all be about burying the bodies, but thorough examinations were needed.
The Interior Minister said the government was working around the clock to speed up the investigations.
“We want to assure the families that we are with them,” he said.
A high-ranking officer of the Forensic Unit of the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is the leader of the delegation.
Remains in Accra
Their remains were airlifted from Kumasi to Accra and received at the Air Force Base at Burma Camp.
A solemn atmosphere enveloped the Ghana Air Force Base in Accra last Wednesday evening as the bodies of the eight distinguished Ghanaians who lost their lives in a military helicopter crash in the Adansi area in the Ashanti Region were received.
The Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter, which departed Accra at 9:12 a.m. en route to Obuasi, lost contact on the radar after takeoff.
All eight persons on board were later confirmed dead.
Aside from the two serving ministers, the acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna; the Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Sarpong, and former parliamentary candidate, Samuel Aboagye, were also onboard.
The military officers were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Present at the brief and dignified ceremony to receive the remains were senior government officials, military personnel, and the clergy.
The government delegation was led by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah.
The others included the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu; Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe; the Minister of Works and Housing, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei; the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu; the Deputy Minister of Defence, Brogya Genfi; and the Deputy Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mohammed Adams Sukparu.
The Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, and the service chiefs were at the ceremony, as was the General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey.
As the military pall bearers carried the flag-draped coffins from the flight, the mood was one of deep reflection.
Some officers and attendees were visibly moved at the short interfaith prayer service as the eight coffins were arranged on catafalques – decorated wooden structures supporting the coffin of a distinguished person during a funeral or while lying in state.
Christian clergymen and Muslim clerics took turns to lead brief intercessions, praying for the peaceful repose of the souls and strength for the grieving families.
Following the prayers, the coffins were placed into hearses and transported to the 37 Military Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.
