The remains of eight individuals who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Ghana have been received with full military honours at the airbase in Accra.
Among the deceased were the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Environment, the vice-chairperson of a major political party, a senior national security adviser, and four crew members. The group had departed from the capital early Wednesday morning, heading to a gold-mining area in the Ashanti region. Sadly, the aircraft lost contact shortly after takeoff, and the wreckage was later discovered in the Adansi area. There were no survivors.
Their bodies arrived in Accra at around 9 PM aboard a Ghana Air Force aircraft. A solemn reception was held, led by top government officials, including the President’s Chief of Staff. Eight coffins, each wrapped in the national flag, were received in silence. Clergy from both Christian and Muslim faiths offered prayers during the brief ceremony, after which the coffins were transported to the morgue.
Plans for the burial of the Environment Minister, originally scheduled for Thursday morning in Tamale, have been postponed. The family has been informed, though the reason for the delay and the new date are yet to be announced.
In honour of the victims, the government has declared a three-day national mourning period. All flags across the country are to be flown at half-mast during this time.