Ghana will today, Sunday, August 10, bid a solemn farewell to two distinguished Muslim statesmen who lost their lives in the Adansi-Akrofuom military helicopter crash on August 6. Hon. Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, will be laid to rest in accordance with Islamic tradition, which calls for the swift burial of the deceased.
The Presidency, working closely with the bereaved families, religious leaders, and traditional authorities, has confirmed that the rites will be conducted with full adherence to Islamic customs, traditions, and practices.
According to the official funeral programme and information obtained by Zaa Newsroom, the rites will commence with Jannaza prayers at 2:00 p.m. at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra, followed by interment at 2:30 p.m. at the Military Cemetery.
The ceremony will be conducted in two stages: the first at the State House, beginning with the arrival of guests at 1:00 p.m., the National Chief Imam at 1:30 p.m., the President at 1:40 p.m., and the caskets at 1:45 p.m., culminating in the Jannaza prayers at 2:00 p.m. The second stage will take place at the Military Cemetery, starting with the arrival of the caskets at 2:30 p.m, followed by burial rites, prayers by the Imam of the Ghana Armed Forces, a short sermon by the Imam of the Ambariya Sunni Community, remarks by the President, and closing prayers led by the National Chief Imam.
The ceremony is expected to draw a distinguished gathering, including President John Dramani Mahama, the Vice President, the Speaker of Parliament, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), representatives of the Yogbun Wura and Ndan Ya Naa, the National Chief Imam, and the leadership of the Ambariya Sunni Group, alongside bereaved family members, colleagues, and members of the general public.
The two officials were among eight people who tragically lost their lives when a Ghana Air Force helicopter crashed in the Adansi-Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region. The national tragedy has plunged the country into deep mourning, with flags flying at half-mast and tributes pouring in from political leaders, religious figures, traditional authorities, and citizens from all walks of life.
While today’s ceremony is dedicated to the two Muslim victims, a larger inter-denominational state funeral for all eight crash victims will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square in Accra. That service will serve as a final opportunity for the entire nation to unite in grief, pay tribute, and honour the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to Ghana.
In a statement, the Presidency described the fallen as “heroes who gave their lives in service to Ghana,” calling on citizens to keep the bereaved families in their thoughts and prayers.
