Ghana will today be in a state of standstill in grief and unity as the nation lays to rest eight patriots who perished in last Wednesday’s tragic helicopter crash at Adansi in the Ashanti Region.

A solemn state funeral will take place at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra at 7:30 a.m., drawing together the country’s leadership, bereaved families, and citizens from all walks of life to honour their memory.

The victims lost their lives in the line of duty while en route to the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) in Obuasi on August 6, 2025.

The crash claimed the lives of Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence; Alhaji Dr Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress.

Also killed were Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Twum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.

Two of the victims — Dr Murtala Mohammed and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna — were laid to rest in an Islamic State burial at the Military Cemetery at Burma Camp on August 10.

The tragedy plunged the nation into deep mourning, with flags flown at half-mast, vigils held, and a memorial ceremony organised at the State House Forecourt last Saturday.

President John Dramani Mahama, describing the crash as unpredictable and violent, urged Ghanaians to turn sorrow into action and uphold the ideals the departed served.

“We must not only mourn as one but commit to healing as one,” the President said.

Friday’s farewell will be a largely military ceremony under the auspices of the Ghana Armed Forces, with tributes, Qur’an recitations, and a burial service, according to Stan Dogbey, Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Operations.

Six of the bodies will be interred at the Military Cemetery at Tse Addo near Burma Camp.

Thousands are expected to attend the funeral to pay their last respects to the fallen heroes whose patriotism will be etched into Ghana’s history.

The government has assured that robust security measures are in place to ensure the safety of mourners.