President John Dramani Mahama has confirmed that forensic reports on all eight victims of the August 6, military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region have been received.
Speaking at the burial of 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 — President Mahama revealed that the reports had been delivered electronically, clearing the way for their interment.
DNA samples had been sent to South Africa for analysis due to the severely charred condition of the bodies.
“Happily, that process was concluded yesterday [August 9]. We received the forensic results for our brothers [Murtala and Alhaji Muniru], and that is why we have come to bury them ahead. As I speak, the forensic reports for the rest have also arrived. In consultation with the families, we will decide how their funerals will be held. But, as we have said, on August 15 we will hold a state funeral for all of them,” the President announced on Sunday, 10 August.
In accordance with Islamic tradition, Janazah prayers for the two were led by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra. They were later laid to rest at the Military Cemetery near Burma Camp.
The crash claimed the lives of eight people, including Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong.
The three crew members who perished were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The government declared a three-day national mourning period, which included a flower-laying ceremony on August 7 and a memorial service on 9 August.
A state funeral for all the victims will be held on Friday, 15 August 2025, at Black Star Square in Accra.
The Z-9 military helicopter had departed Accra at 09:12 local time (GMT), bound for Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining programme, when it went “off the radar”, according to the Ghana Armed Forces.
The aircraft was carrying three crew members and five passengers.
Its disappearance triggered an immediate search-and-rescue operation, which later confirmed the deaths of all eight aboard.
List of victims:
• Dr Edward Omane Boamah — Minister for Defence
• Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed — Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; MP for Tamale Central
• Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed — Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
• Dr Samuel Sarpong — National Vice Chairman, NDC
• Samuel Aboagye — former parliamentary candidate
• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala — pilot
• Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu — co-pilot
• Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah — flight engineer
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