Tributes poured in at the State Funeral of the eight fallen heroes, as family, colleagues and the nation eulogised them as gallant patriots who lived and died in service to Ghana.
The Black Star Square became a sea of black, red and other mourning colours as government officials, opposition leaders, traditional and religious leaders, members of the diplomatic corps and dignitaries from across the world gathered to pay their last respects.
Words of love, grief and gratitude echoed across the Square as speaker after speaker painted portraits of the departed – not just as public figures and servicemen, but as fathers, sons, husbands, brothers and friends.
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The crash, which occurred near Sikaman in the Ashanti Region, led to the loss of eight prominent individuals, namely Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Defence Minister, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Environment Minister and Dr Samuel Sarpong, First Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress.
The others were Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Mr Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
They were on their way to the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills
Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) at Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.
An official State tribute hailed them as “eight gallant sons of Ghana who gave their lives in the highest service to our country,” praising their courage, integrity and “inspiring devotion to Ghana.”
“Though their voices are silent, their service still speaks.”
A tribute by Mrs Abena Rita Omane Boamah, widow of the late Defence Minister, offered one of the most emotional eulogies.
Recalling their courtship and marriage, she spoke of their night walks to buy kenkey and fish, the joy of shared birthdays, and his deep involvement in raising their three children despite his demanding career.
“Kofi B! Thank you for loving me, thank you for loving the children, thank you for loving my family and all who came to know you. God be with you till we meet again. Rest in power, my love,” she said, drawing tears from many in attendance.
The family of Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed described him as “a brother, a loving father” whose life was steeped in Islamic faith.
“While we love him, Allah loves him more,” it said, finding comfort that “he died serving the country and his people, fighting a jihad in the true sense of the word; so that tomorrow would be better.”
For Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, his family remembered “a quiet strength, humility and a heart devoted to faith, family and service… a true servant of God, whose greatest desire was for his loved ones to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord.”
Biographies read during the ceremony detailed the careers, achievements and personal sacrifices of each of the fallen – from the corridors of government to the battlefields of service – underscoring their collective legacy of duty, discipline and devotion.
The tributes, woven with faith, love and respect, left an enduring reminder of lives lived with purpose.
For many at the Square, the words spoken will remain as vivid as the images of the eight flag-draped caskets: a call to honour their memory by emulating their service to Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
15 Aug. 2025
