More Tears for crash victims… Govt. sends mortal remains to South Africa

On Thursday August 7, which was day two of the three-days of national mourning declared by the Government in honour of the eight persons who died during Wednesday, August 6’s helicopter crash, the mortal remains of the victims were flown to South Africa for DNA testing and analysis to help in the proper identification of the bodies which got burnt beyond easy recognition.

The testing procedure is expected to be done with results ready within 12 hours.

Early reports suggested that the 37 Military Hospital in Accra had assembled a team of specialists for the DNA analysis and identification.

It was gathered however later in the day that Government took an eleventh-hour decision to fly the bodies to South Africa where it is believed the procedure would be conducted under a more advanced technology for DNA forensic analysis including advanced Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis, Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) and Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS).

A forensic personalist from the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service has been tasked to be in South Africa and be present through the entire procedure.

The eight victims of the crash include Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Hon Dr Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, National Democratic Congress (NDC) former Parliamentary Candidate Samuel Aboagye and NDC National First Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong.

Also on board were three Military Personnel – Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

All eight died.

Meanwhile Government has announced that a task-force has been formed to investigate the helicopter crash.

Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Minister disclosed on his Facebook wall Thursday evening that the Black Box has been recovered from the crash site.

President John Mahama has meanwhile declared three days of national mourning starting Thursday August 7 to Saturday August 9. The national flag is to fly at half-mast across all public offices during the period while the President has suspended all official engagements for the rest of the week.

A statement from the Presidency, signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications Directorate said the period would be a time for national reflection and unity.

“These three days offer our nation an opportunity to collectively mourn and reflect on the profound loss we have experienced. We urge all citizens to observe the period of national mourning with dignity and respect,” the statement said.

It said the three days of national mourning would begin with a public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden in front of the Jubilee House on Thursday, August 7, at 1:00 p.m.

On Friday August 8, the laying of flowers would continue so that members of the general public can be allowed to take part and then on Saturday, August 9, there would be an event known as an “Evening of Reflections and Memorials”, to be held at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra from 5:00 p.m.

On the first day three days of national mourning, President John Dramani Mahama himself led a wreath-laying and candlelight ceremony at the Ceremonial Gardens of Jubilee House.

President Mahama was accompanied by the Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketia, members of the Council of State, top government officials, family members, friends, and members of the security services.