Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has called on Ghanaians to honour the memory of the eight people who perished in last week’s military helicopter crash by embracing the values they embodied patriotism, selfless leadership, bravery, and service to God and country.
Speaking at an Evening of Reflections and Memorial held at the Forecourt of the State House on Saturday, August 9, Debrah said the fallen would have wanted the nation to move beyond grief and live by the principles they stood for.
“On this day, I’m certain our comrades would be urging us to wipe away our tears and forge ahead, united as a people and a nation,” he said. “They would be imploring us to strive to live by the values they stood for and died for… This moment reminds us of the spirit of oneness we have consistently demonstrated across the divide.”
The crash, which occurred on August 6 in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, and five others, including military personnel.
As part of the three-day national mourning period declared by President John Dramani Mahama, the government has outlined burial arrangements. The two Muslim victims, Dr. Murtala Muhammed and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, will be laid to rest in accordance with Islamic tradition following Janazah prayers at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 10, at the State House Forecourt. They will be buried at the Military Cemetery in Accra.
A full inter-denominational state funeral for all the victims will be held on Friday, August 15, at the Black Star Square to celebrate their lives and service.
