The Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of operations, Stanislav Dogbe, has called on the public to cooperate with security and protocol officers during Friday’s state funeral for the remaining six people who perished in the Z-9 helicopter crash in Adansi Akrofuom.
According to Stanislav Dogbe comportment and decorum is expected at the funeral ceremony which takes place tomorrow, Friday August 15 at the Black Star Square.
Speaking in an address to the nation this morning, August 14 at the Black Star Square about the funeral ceremony for the 6 out of 8 perished heroes, Stanislav Dogbe entreats the mourning public to collaborate with security officers.
He said, “We entreat the public who would want to join us for the service to come early and collaborate with the protocol and security officials on the ground to assist them to sit. We do not expect people to be crisscrossing the inner perimeter before and during the service.”
He also that there will be heavy security deployment. “Obviously not because the President and the Vice are here but also for the safety of all mourners that are going to be here. We therefore entreat the mourning public to collaborate with the security officers,” he added.
Air Commodore Okai of the Ghana Armed Forces also spoke, noting that laying six fallen heroes to rest at once is not the same as one person, therefore additional steps are being taken to accord the highest respect.
He said it will be a military service led by the GAF Chaplaincy and pleaded with mourners to follow directions at both the service grounds and the burial grounds that is the Military Cemetery to maintain order.
The crash, which occurred on Wednesday, August 6, claimed the lives of eight people.
Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed have already been buried according to Islamic rites.
The remaining 6 to be laid to rest tomorrow are Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and Air Force crew members Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
