Forensic Reports Of Helicopter Crash Victims Received – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that forensic reports for all eight victims of the August 6 military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District, Ashanti Region, have been received.

Speaking at the burial of two 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 President explained that the reports, which were sent electronically, allowed for their immediate burial.

DNA samples of the victims had been sent to South Africa for testing due to the severe burns sustained in the crash.

“Happily, that process was completed yesterday [August 9]. We received the forensic results for our brothers [Murtala and Alhaji Muniru] electronically, which is why we are able to lay them to rest today. As I speak, the reports for the others have also arrived, and in consultation with their families, we will decide on the arrangements for their funerals. As earlier indicated, on August 15, we will hold a state funeral for all of them,” President Mahama said on Sunday, August 10.

In keeping with Islamic tradition, Janazah prayers were offered at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra, led by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu. The two were later interred at the Military Cemetery near Burma Camp.

The crash claimed the lives of eight people, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, NDC National Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, and former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye. The crew members who died 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 began with a flower-laying ceremony on August 7 and continued with a memorial service on August 9. A state funeral for all victims is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square in Accra.

The ill-fated Z-9 military helicopter took off from Accra at 09:12 GMT, bound for Obuasi to support an anti-illegal mining operation. It disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff, prompting a search-and-rescue mission that later confirmed the deaths of all eight on board.

List of Victims:

Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, and MP for Tamale Central
Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
Dr. Samuel Sarpong, National Vice Chairman of the NDC
Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate
Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah

📄🇬🇭 Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh receives the DNA results of the military helicopter crash victims from South Africa — a crucial step toward closure for grieving families. 🕊️ #GhanaMourns #CitiNewsroom pic.twitter.com/YHP5TYUiqD

— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) August 10, 2025

Source: Citinews