The remains of eight state officials, including Ghana’s defense and environment ministers, were received with full military honors at the Accra Airbase on Wednesday evening following a fatal helicopter crash earlier in the day.
The victims were the Defense Minister, Environment Minister, ruling party Vice Chair, a national security adviser, and four crew members—were and were killed when their helicopter went off radar en route to an official event addressing illegal mining. The wreckage was later discovered in the central Ashanti region with no survivors.
The bodies arrived at the airbase at 9:00 p.m., where they were met by government officials led by the President’s Chief of Staff. A brief religious ceremony was held in accordance with traditional protocols, and the eight flag-draped coffins were transported by car to the morgue.
In a national address, Ghana’s government declared a three-day mourning period to honor the victims. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the crash, with investigations ongoing.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across the nation, with tributes pouring in for the fallen officials. President Nana John Mahama is expected to address the public in the coming days as Ghana grieves one of its deadliest aviation disasters in recent years.
