President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the forensic reports for all eight victims of the August 6, 2025, military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region have been received.

Mahama made this disclosure during the burial of two of the victims, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator.

Speaking at the somber ceremony, President Mahama revealed that the DNA samples of the victims, which were sent to South Africa for analysis due to the severe charring of the bodies, had yielded conclusive results.

"Happily, that process was ended yesterday, August 9.We received electronically the forensic results for our brothers Murtala and Alhaji Muniru. And that is why we have come to bury ahead," he said.

He further disclosed that the forensic reports for the remaining victims had also arrived, and consultations would be held with their families to determine the timing of their funerals. However, a state funeral for all the victims would be held on August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square in Accra.

In line with Islamic tradition, Janazah prayers were performed at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra, led by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, before the burial of Dr. Muhammed and Alhaji Mohammed at the Military Cemetery near Burma Camp.

The tragic helicopter crash claimed the lives of eight prominent individuals, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, as well as three crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

The government had earlier declared a three-day national mourning period, which included a flower-laying ceremony on August 7 and a memorial service on August 9. The state funeral on August 15 will serve as a soulful tribute to the memory and legacy of the departed high Gov't officials.

Story by Lawrence Odoom/Phalonzy