The Black Star Square is resonating with the sounds of military trumpets as personnel rehearse for Friday’s state burial of six of the eight victims of last Wednesday’s tragic helicopter crash.
Final preparations for the solemn ceremony are in full swing.
The final funeral rites for the six will take place on August 15, following the burial of former Environment Minister Dr Murtala Mohammed and former Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Limuna last Sunday, in line with Islamic tradition.
Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations, Stan Dogbe, said the military-led ceremony will strictly observe all protocols and accord full state honours to the deceased.
He noted that large crowds are expected and assured that adequate security arrangements have been put in place to maintain order.
“All institutional tributes, from the various organisations our departed comrades worked with or were associated with, will be read during the pre-burial period before 9 a.m.
“After the service, the bodies of the six yet to be buried will be conveyed to the military cemetery at Tse Addo. There, the Ghana Armed Forces, together with the churches of the departed, will take charge of the burial ceremony,” Mr Dogbe explained.
“Because of the large number of people expected tomorrow, measures have been taken to ensure a very solemn ceremony,” he added.
Mr Dogbe also revealed that Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has directed that all institutional donations in support of the funeral be shared equally among the families of the eight deceased.
Providing further details, Director of Research, Education and Training at the Police MTTD, Chief Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng, said key access routes to the Independence Square will be managed to prevent congestion, with towing vehicles deployed to aid traffic flow.
“The service will essentially be military in nature. The Ghana Armed Forces will move our fallen heroes from the morgue to the Black Star Square and then to the military cemetery after the funeral service. The service will be led by the chaplaincy of the Ghana Armed Forces, supported by civilian clergy,” Supt. Obeng stated.
“Burying six fallen heroes at the same time is not the same as burying just one person. There will be unique arrangements and innovations at the cemetery to ensure that our heroes are accorded the highest state respect,” he added.
The burial will mark the final farewell to the eight individuals who lost their lives in the tragic crash, with the ceremony expected to draw national and international attention.
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