Hot SourceGhanaians bid a solemn farewell yesterday, Sunday, August 10, to 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.
In line with Islamic tradition, Janazah prayers were held at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra, followed by interment at the Military Cemetery near Burma Camp, but not in their hometowns of Tamale and Damogo, the Northern Regional capital and the Savannah Regional capital, respectively.
The two officials were among eight people who died when a Ghana Air Force helicopter crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on 6 August. The national tragedy has prompted a wave of mourning, with tributes pouring in from across the country.
The burial rites drew a host of high-profile dignitaries, including President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, National Chief Imam Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, the families of the victims, government officials, Members of Parliament, the Muslim community, and members of the public.
A larger inter-denominational state funeral for all the victims is scheduled for Friday, 15 August, at the Black Star Square.
President Mahama confirmed that forensic reports on all eight victims had been received.
Speaking at the burial of the two officials, he said the reports had been received electronically, paving the way for their interment. The DNA samples had been sent to South Africa for analysis because the bodies were badly charred.
“Happily, that process ended yesterday [9 August]. We received electronically the forensic results for our brothers [Murtala and Alhaji Muniru], and that is why we have come to bury 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 said, on 15 August, we will hold a state funeral for all of them,” the President said.
The crash claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice-Chairman Samuel Sarpong.
The 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 August 9.
The military aircraft, a Z-9 helicopter, departed Accra at 09:12 GMT bound for Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining operation. The Ghana Armed Forces reported that it had gone “off radar” during the flight.
Its disappearance triggered an immediate search-and-rescue operation, which later confirmed that all eight people aboard had died.
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