Key Points
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Ghana helicopter crash victims honored with full military rites.
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Thirteen service members lost in tragic military aircraft accident.
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President vows to improve military aviation safety standards.
To commemorate the 13 service members lost in the army helicopter crash last month—an incident that has sparked serious concerns about the safety of military aviation in the West African country—Ghana’s military and political leadership united solemnly on Monday.
According to a report by Africa-news, senior government officials, foreign dignitaries, and hundreds of distraught family members attended the ceremony, which was held at Accra’s Burma Camp.
Soldiers in immaculate ceremonial uniforms paid their last respects in a neat row of coffins draped in Ghana’s red, gold, and green flag.
The victims of the Ghana helicopter crash were given full rites of honor
Speaking at the funeral, President Nana Akufo-Addo called the deceased “brave patriots” who “paid the ultimate price in service to the nation.” He told families that the government was already looking into the crash and would provide them with full support and benefits.
According to defense officials, the helicopter crashed while on a training flight close to the Eastern Region of the nation. Investigators have not ruled out other causes, but preliminary reports suggest a potential mechanical failure.
Families want safety reforms and answers
Relatives of the Ghana helicopter crash victims say they want more than ceremonial honors—they want answers. Several spoke to reporters after the service, urging the military to overhaul maintenance routines and improve pilot training programs.
“We can’t keep losing our loved ones to preventable accidents,” said Afua Mensah, whose brother, a flight technician, was among the dead.
Aviation safety now a national security priority
The tragedy has amplified concerns about Ghana’s aging fleet of military aircraft.
Opposition lawmakers have pressed for increased funding for procurement and maintenance, warning that operational readiness could be compromised without urgent upgrades.
International partners, including the United States and United Kingdom, have offered technical support for the investigation. Military analysts say such cooperation could help Ghana modernize its aviation systems, reducing the risk of similar accidents.
As the 13 coffins were lowered for burial, the sound of a 21-gun salute echoed through the military base.
Soldiers folded flags and presented them to grieving families, a final gesture in a day that was as much about national mourning as it was about a call for reform.
President Akufo-Addo closed his remarks with a pledge: “We will honor their memory not only in words, but by ensuring such a tragedy never happens again.”
