Ghana’s grief over the August 6 military helicopter crash deepened on Sunday, August 10, as the nation bade farewell to two of the victims — Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation and MP for Tamale Central, and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator.
The Forecourt of the State House in Accra was filled with mourners from all walks of life who gathered for Janazah prayers in accordance with Islamic tradition. The bodies were later interred at the Military Cemetery near Burma Camp.
Among the dignitaries present were President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, and the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu. Government officials, Members of Parliament, leaders of the Muslim community, and ordinary citizens also turned out in large numbers to pay their respects.
The burial formed part of a three-day national mourning period declared by government, beginning Thursday, August 7, which included a flower-laying ceremony and an “Evening of Reflection” memorial on Saturday, August 9.
An inter-denominational state funeral for all eight crash victims will be held at the Black Star Square on Friday, August 15.
The August 6 tragedy in the Adansi-Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region claimed the lives of Dr. Murtala Muhammed; Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Muniru Mohammed; Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate; Dr. Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice Chairman; and three Ghana Air Force personnel — Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed that the Z-9 helicopter carrying the officials went “off the radar” shortly after departing Accra at 09:12 GMT for Obuasi, where the delegation was to launch an anti-illegal mining operation. A subsequent search-and-rescue mission found no survivors.
Sunday’s burial was not only a farewell to two distinguished public servants but also a poignant reminder of a tragedy that has shaken the nation’s leadership and left a deep wound in the national conscience.
