Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has called on Ghanaians to honour the memory of the August 6 military helicopter crash victims by staying united and upholding the values they lived and died for.
Speaking at the Evening of Reflections and Memorial Ceremony on Saturday, August 9, he said the late leaders and service members would want the nation to move forward with patriotism, selfless leadership, bravery, and devotion to God and country.
“On this day, I am sure our comrades will be urging us to wipe our tears. They would be telling us to remain united as a people and as a nation. More importantly, they would be urging us to continue striving to live by the values they stood for and died for, the values of patriotism, selfless leadership, bravery, and service to their maker and country,” Mr Debrah said.
He added that the tragedy serves as a reminder of “the spirit of oneness, the spirit we have shown and continue to show across the divide.”
The crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, and five others, including senior military officers.
As part of the three-day national mourning declared by the President, the government has announced the burial rites for the two Muslim victims, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed.
According to Islamic tradition, Janazah prayers will be held on Sunday, August 10, at 2:00 p.m. at the Forecourt of the State House, followed by burial at the Military Cemetery in Accra.
An inter-denominational state funeral for all eight victims will be held on Friday, August 15, at Black Star Square. The deceased also include Dr Samuel Sarpong, National Vice Chairman of the NDC; Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
