The government has announced a programme of events to mark the three days of national mourning declared by President Mahama following the death of eight public officials in a military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region on August 6.
Those killed include Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, 50, along with six others.
The Z9 aircraft, carrying three crew members and five passengers, went down in dense forest while flying from Accra to Obuasi for an event aimed at tackling illegal mining. All eight bodies were recovered from the wreckage and flown to Accra in coffins draped with the national flag. There were no survivors.
In a statement dated August 7, the Office of Government Communications said the commemorations would begin with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at 1:00 p.m. at the Ceremonial Gardens within the Jubilee House.
The programme continues on August 8 with a wreath-laying and candle-lighting ceremony, giving the wider public an opportunity to honour the late officials. The mourning period will conclude on Saturday, August 9, with an Evening of Reflections and Memorials at the Forecourt of the State House, starting at 5:00 p.m.
The government urged all Ghanaians, both at home and abroad, to join in the observance.
“These three days of mourning, as announced by President Mahama, are to afford us all the chance to unite in such trying times as we mourn the painful departure of our compatriots who truly served Ghana,” the statement said.
–
Story by Sika Togoh|univers.ug.edu.gh
