A number of roads that lead to Independence Square in Accra have been temporarily closed on Friday, August 15, for the State burial of the victims who lost their lives in a helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region.

This was contained in a press release by the Ghana Police Service on Thursday, August 14. According to the Police Service, the new development is to ensure public safety and smooth traffic.

The following roads will be closed to traffic during the event: 28th February Road from CEPS Traffic Light Intersection to Castle Road Junction, Osu Cemetery Traffic Light on Lokko Street, Castle Road from AU to Osu Cemetery Traffic Light, Starlet 91 Road, closed at the Ministries Traffic Light Intersection.

Additionally, Traffic from La, Labone, and Osu on the 28th February Road towards the Central Business District and Ministries will be diverted onto Salem Avenue Road at the Castle Traffic Light to link with Oxford Street. Motorists from Lokko Street, Osu, towards Castle Road have been directed to use Ajumaku Street and Oxford Street in Osu.

Individuals who intend to use the John Evans Atta Mills High Street will now have to use the Liberia Road at the CEPS Traffic Intersection towards the National Theatre Traffic Light Intersection.

Vehicles driving from AU Circle toward Castle Road, which links to the Osu Cemetery Traffic Light, will not be able to continue on the usual route. Also, vehicles without approved windscreen entry stickers, specifically RED stickers with VVIP inscriptions, shall not be permitted into the Black Star Square arena and parking zones.

The Police has warned that owners of vehicles that are parked wrongly in and around the event grounds shall not be tolerated.

“No vehicle would be allowed to park at unauthorized places or drive through these road blockages. Security vehicles and vehicles carrying dignitaries would be allowed after thorough checks. Traffic Police Officers would be at hand to direct and assist motorists to the appropriate car parks and diverted roads. Towing/Recovery trucks would be available to tow off any abandoned/disabled/wrongly parked vehicles in and around event grounds.

“Motorists are further advised to take note of these arrangements and plan alternative routes before embarking on their journey. The general public, especially motorists, are once again urged to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies to ensure effective traffic management and control,” parts of the statement.

Areas allowed for parking include VVIP, VIP–Black Star Square, the Forecourt of the State House, the International Conference Centre, the Access Bank Car Park, the Osu Cemetery Car Park, the Accra Sports Stadium Car Park, the Ministries Area, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture Car Park, the Marine Drive Football Park, and the Afua Sutherland Car Park.

On Wednesday, August 7, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, confirmed the unfortunate demise of 8 individuals, including the Defence Minister, Dr Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.

The other six individuals who are deceased include acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former Parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye,Squadron leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Mensah.

On Sunday, August 10, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna were buried as per Islamic customs.

All the deceased were aboard the helicopter traveling from Accra to Kumasi. In response, the President and government extended their condolences and sympathies to the family of the comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country. The President further declared three days of national mourning in honour of the victims. Also, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah directed that all flags fly at half-mast until further notice.

Meanwhile, several statesmen, international dignitaries, and sympathizers have extended their deepest condolences to the incumbent government and Ghana as a whole. Members of the Diplomatic Corps from several missions have thronged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pay tribute to the eight (8) victims of the August 6 helicopter disaster.

The books of condolence were opened simultaneously on Sunday, August 10, at the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, the National Democratic Congress headquarters, and the head office of NADMO.

On Sunday, the following Diplomatic Missions and International Organisation had representatives sign the book of condolence.

They were from the Embassy of the Republic of Liberia, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco, the ECOWAS Secretariat, the Embassy of the Republic of Cotê d’Ivoire, the High Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan, and the Embassy of Italy.

On Monday, August 11, over 20 representatives of Diplomatic Missions and International Organisation signed the book of condolence.

They include the Embassy of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, Honorary Consulate of Jamaica, Embassy of the Republic of Cuba, Embassy of the Republic of Senegal, Embassy of the Republic of Niger, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, High Commission of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, European Union Delegation to Ghana, and Embassy of the State of Kuwait.

On Wednesday, August 7, the Chief of Staff Julius Debrah confirmed the unfortunate demise of 8 individuals including the Defence Minister, Dr Omane Boamah and the Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.

The other six individuals who are deceased include acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister for Food and Agriculture Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former Parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye,Squadron leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Mensah.

All the deceased were aboard the helicopter traveling from Accra to Kumasi. The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) earlier reported that its airforce helicopter. Z9 that took off this morning at 0912 hrs from Accra and headed for Obuasi is currently off the radar. "All efforts are being made to establish contact," the Ghana Armed Forces announced in a statement.

In response the President and government extended their condolences and sympathies to the family of the comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country. The President further declared three days of national mourning in honour of the victims. Also, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah directed that all flags fly at half-mast until further notice.

Under the theme ‘Evening of Reflections and Memorials’, the three-day national mourning featured wreath-laying and candle-lighting ceremonies, held at the Forecourt of the State House and the Ceremonial Garden in front of the Presidency, respectively.

On Thursday, samples of the remains of the deceased were transported to South Africa for DNA analysis to aid in their identification. Per reports, the autopsy and identification procedures were to have been carried out by the 37 Military Hospital; however, the conditions of the bodies have called for advanced forensic processes.

On Sunday, August 10, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna were buried as per Islam customs.

Meanwhile, several statesmen, international dignitaries, and sympathizers have extended their deepest condolences to the incumbent government and Ghana as a whole.