President John Dramani Mahama has announced that forensic analyses for all eight victims of the military helicopter crash that occurred on August 6 in the Adansi Akrofuom District, Ashanti Region, have now been received.
Delivering remarks during the funeral service for two of the deceased; Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation as well as Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, President Mahama disclosed that the reports arrived electronically, allowing for the burial proceedings to move forward.
The Interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak, confirmed that due to the severely burned condition of the crash victims’ remains, DNA analysis and identification samples had been sent to South Africa for thorough scientific examination to accurately establish their identities.
“Unfortunately, the state in which the bodies were found made it difficult for us to positively identify which was which, and that’s why we had to go through the scientific process of identification. Happily, that process was concluded yesterday August 9,” President Mahama stated.
He added, “We received the forensic results for our brothers Murtala and Alhaji Muniru, and that is why we have come to bury them 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.”
The funeral rites for the two officials adhered to Islamic customs, with Janazah prayers led by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, held at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra. Subsequently, the two were interred at the Military Cemetery adjacent to Burma Camp.
The President reiterated that the state funeral will still go ahead, saying, ‘But, as we have said, on August 15 we will hold a state funeral for all of them.’
Background:
The helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, involved a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9EH military helicopter carrying eight people, including senior government officials and military personnel. The helicopter was en route from Accra to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region to attend an event focused on combating illegal mining. It took off around 9:12 a.m. but went off radar and was later found crashed into a forested, mountainous area in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
Unfortunately, all eight occupants, including Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Limuna Mohammed Muniru, and other officials and crew, died in the crash.
The victims’ bodies were severely charred due to a post-crash fire.
Due to the condition of the remains, DNA samples had to be sent to South Africa for forensic analysis to confirm identification.
The flight recorder (black box) was recovered as part of the ongoing investigation by the Ghana Armed Forces and other relevant agencies.
The crash is regarded as one of Ghana’s worst air disasters in over a decade and led to national mourning, including suspension of activities and flags flying at half-mast.
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
