It has been one week since the tragic helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region on August 6, 2025, which killed eight people.

After hours of anguish following a statement by the Ghana Armed Forces, which said one of its aircraft transporting top government officials had gone missing, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, announced to Ghanaians that, for the first time in the country’s history, two cabinet ministers have died in a helicopter crash, together with six other people.

The entire country was thrown into mourning, with many Ghanaians in disbelief and all national flags flying at half-mast.

Defence Minister Dr Omane Boamah, Dr Murtala Mohammed and others dead


The news of the crash was reported by international media, leading to tributes from leaders across the world.

One week on since the horrific incident, here are a number of actions that have taken place.

Three Days Mourning:

After the announcement of the disaster, the government declared a three-day National Mourning in honour of the eight victims, from Thursday, August 7, to Saturday, August 9, 2025.

The three-day National Mourning was marked by a public laying of flowers and a lighting of candles ceremony at the Ceremonial Garden in front of the Jubilee House.

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The event saw President John Dramani Mahama and officials of the government and members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lay flowers in honour of the victims, as well as other notable personalities from across the political divide.

The three days of mourning concluded with an Evening of Reflection and Memorials at the Forecourt of the State House, where the president, as well as close friends and family of the deceased, shared fond memories of the victims.



A committee to probe the incident:

The government also set up a taskforce to investigate the helicopter crash and uncover the facts surrounding it.

According to a graphiconline.com report on August 7, 2025, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim, confirmed the development in an interview with Joy FM on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

"There's also a taskforce to investigate what has happened. Clear communication on the facts will help ease the burden on the hearts of many. We will provide updates regularly," she said.

Burial of Muslim victims:

Two of the eight victims of the horrific helicopter crash — the late Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and the late Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed — were buried by the state on Sunday, August 10, 2025.

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Before the burial, which was done at the Muslim section of the Military Cemetery in Accra, Muslim Janazah prayers — the Islamic funeral prayer offered for a deceased Muslim — were held for the two men at the Forecourt of the State House.

Thousands of Ghanaians attended the Janazah for the only two Muslims among the eight people who died in the crash, including politicians from across the political divide. The prayers were led by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu.

Among the dignitaries at the event were President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, families of the victims, government officials, and Members of Parliament.

Arrival of DNA test results for six victims:

Samples of the charred remains of the eight victims were sent to South Africa on Thursday, August 7, 2025, to help confirm their identities.

The forensic results for six of the victims arrived in Accra from South Africa on Sunday, August 10, 2025, and were formally handed over to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.

The tests, conducted on samples taken from all eight fallen service members, were carried out to confirm their identities and facilitate the release of the bodies to their families.

The samples of the two Muslim victims were prioritised and analysed first. They arrived in the country on Saturday, August 9, 2025, enabling the final Janazah (Islamic funeral) prayers to be held on Sunday, August 10, 2025, in accordance with Islamic tradition.



World leaders mourn with Ghana:

Following the incident, a number of world leaders extended their condolences to President Mahama and Ghanaians through messages shared by their diplomats or on social media.

Two presidents, however, chose to travel to Ghana to mourn with the country.

The President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, arrived in Ghana on Friday, August 8, to commiserate with President Mahama and the government and people of Ghana on the national tragedy.

President Bio laid a wreath at the Ceremonial Garden of the Presidency in Accra, signed a book of condolence, and also attended an Evening of Reflection and Memorial for the departed eight.

The President of São Tomé and Príncipe, Carlos Vila Nova, also arrived in Ghana on August 12, 2025, to pay his respects to the eight victims.

President Vila Nova visited the memorial site on Monday, August 11, 2025, where he joined Ghanaian officials and mourners in remembering those who perished.

Appointment of caretaker ministers:

President Mahama also made some changes in his government following the demise of his Minister of Defence and the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

The president has named the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, as the acting Minister of Defence.

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Kofi Armah Buah, has also been given the additional responsibility of acting as the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation.

The assignments were announced in a statement issued by the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, which indicated that the two ministers would be taking on the additional roles until further notice.



The victims:

The crash also claimed the lives of:

Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah

Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna

Former Central Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong

Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate

The remaining victims were members of the helicopter crew:

Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala

Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu

Sgt Ernest Addo Mensah

A state funeral will be held for all eight victims at 8:00 am on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square.

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