The Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana (MOWAG) has publicly expressed concerns over the government’s decision to send the bodies of eight prominent public figures who perished in the tragic helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, to South Africa for DNA analysis and identification.
In a statement released by Richard Kofi Jordan, General Secretary of MOWAG, the association described the move as misplaced, emphasizing that mortuary services within Ghana are fully capable of handling such procedures.
The statement came shortly after the crash that claimed the lives of key government officials, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah and Environmental Minister Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and six others.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash on August 6, 2025, that resulted in the loss of eight prominent personalities,” the statement read.
“We extend our sincerest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims. We acknowledge the significant contributions of these individuals to Ghana and join the nation in mourning this loss,” the statement indicated.
MOWAG underlined the professional expertise of mortuary workers in the country, noting that DNA analysis and identification and related services in such high-profile cases fall well within their scope of work.
“Given that the handling of such incidents fall within the scope of mortuary services,” the statement emphasized.
The association stressed the importance of respecting local capacities and resources in handling these sensitive matters.
“As mortuary workers, we recognize the somber nature of our duties in times like these, and extend our professional sympathies. MOWAG stands with the bereaved families during this difficult time,” the statement concluded.
The helicopter crash on August 6 sent ripples throughout the nation, sparking grief and calls for transparency.
Background:
Samples of the bodies of victims of last Wednesday’s helicopter crash have been sent to South Africa for further forensic examination.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, led a delegation of high-ranking government officials to the Kotoka International Airport to see off the team accompanying the bodies of the helicopter crash victims to South Africa.
He explained that to speed up the investigation, the bodies had to be sent for further examination and analysis.
A high-ranking officer of the Forensic Unit of the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is the leader of the delegation.
Their remains were airlifted from Kumasi to Accra and received at the Air Force Base at Burma Camp.
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
