Ghana: 6 remaining helicopter crash victims laid to rest
Amidst profound sorrow and unwavering national unity, Ghana on Friday concluded the state funeral of the eight distinguished and dedicated public servants and military officers who perished in the tragic August 6, 2025 helicopter crash.
Under the sombre sky, the state pre-burial and interfaith burial service at the Independence Square became a powerful testament to the lives, service and ultimate sacrifice of the fallen patriots.
The ceremony, steeped in solemnity, and attended by the highest echelons of Ghanaian leadership and thousands of grieving citizens, honoured the men whom President John Dramani Mahama described as having "led from the front" with "courage, integrity and an inspiring devotion to Ghana".
The meticulously observed service commenced early with the arrival of grieving families and mourners.
Beyond the different religious faiths of the eight fallen patriots, the presence of the National Chief Imam and prominent Christian clergy gave full expression to a nation united by common grief.
Quranic recitations and poignant tributes from the institutions they served, including the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), National Security Council Secretariat, Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Ministries of Defence, and Environment, Science and Technology, filled the morning air with reverence.
A palpable sense of national loss deepened as Service Chiefs, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong; the acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie; Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin; Vice-President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and President Mahama arrived in succession.
Also in attendance were former presidents, John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; the Vice-President of Liberia, Jeremiah Koung, and members of the diplomatic community.
The stirring rendition of the National Anthem marked the transition to the formal interfaith burial service.
Burial service
The Director-General of Religious Affairs of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Benjamin Godson Kumi-Woode, opened the service, setting a tone of shared grief and shared faith.
Some members of the clergy at the service
The haunting melodies of hymns like "Hark! Hark, My Soul!" (CHB 305) and "I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath" (MHB 428), alongside Islamic recitations and a patriotic song by the Tema Youth Choir created a tapestry of national and spiritual mourning.
The heart-wrenching biographies delivered by family representatives painted intimate portraits of the men beyond their public roles, revealing fathers, husbands, sons and brothers deeply loved.
Tributes flowed, raw with emotion, particularly from the widows and children, their words a stark reminder of the personal devastation behind the national tragedy.
President Mahama, Brig. Gen. Kumi-Woode, Mr Bagbin and Prof. Opoku-Agyemang paid solemn homage, lauding the professionalism of the eight, their dedication and unwavering commitment to Ghana's peace and progress.
Tributes
President Mahama delivered a deeply moving address as he stood before the flag-draped caskets.
Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu (2nd from left), National Chief Imam, with other religious leaders. Pictures: DOUGLAS ANANE-FRIMPONG
"Their loss is deeply felt," he declared, his voice heavy with emotion, as he added: "yet their example will guide us for generations to come."
He echoed a common strand in the tributes, stating: "Though their voices are silent, their service still speaks, calling each of us to serve with the same selflessness and steadfast spirit".
The President pledged the nation's unwavering support to the bereaved families, and announced a welfare fund, known as the Children Support Fund, for the children of the eight victims.
The fund, the President said, would cater for the education, healthcare and welfare of the children of the crash victims.
Already, Stanbic Bank, which has opened a dedicated account for the fund, has deposited GH¢500,000 as seed money, while the government will in the next 30 days announce a seed capital for the fund.
For her part, Prof. Opoku Agyemang said: “My Friends, I am aware that what we should be doing now is not listening to my tribute. We should all be at our usual activities and throwing up ideas we know may not be accepted by all, but which we bandy about anyway in the interest of contributing to the national agenda.”
The Vice-President added that “we are more or less coming to the realisation that such will be the outcomes of meetings where we plan, schedule, execute, evaluate, and ascribe responsibilities, whether by volunteering or being volunteered”.
Scriptures (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) and Quranic verses (Surah Fussilat 41:30-33) were read to offer solace and the promise of eternity to the grieving families, friends and the entire nation.
Last Post sermon
In his sermon, Brig. Gen. Kumi-Woode emphasised the enduring legacy of service and sacrifice, urging the nation to find strength and purpose in the example of the deceased.
Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, and other leaders of Parliament reading their tribute
His sermon, titled “The Last Post”, he said, should comfort Ghanaians.
Following Islamic (Du'a) and Christian prayers of commendation and benediction, the poignant strains of the final hymn, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" (CHB 259), filled the square.
As the GAF bearer party meticulously prepared to carry the nation's heroes for the final journey, the President's closing words from his tribute resonated: "I pray that this funeral brings closure to a grieving nation".
Ghana yesterday united in grief, but also in profound gratitude, as the portraits of the loyal, humble, and patriotic servants were etched forever into the nation's collective memory.
President John Mahama speaking at the burial service
Among the victims buried yesterday were the Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah; NDC Vice-Chairman and former Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong; and NADMO Deputy Coordinator, Samuel Aboagye.
The rest were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, posthumously promoted to Wing Commander; Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, posthumously promoted to Flight Lieutenant; and Sergeant Ernest Addo-Mensah, posthumously promoted to Flight Sergeant.
The other victims, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, were earlier interred at the same Military Cemetery in Accra last Sunday.
