Chief of Staff orders national flags back to full mast after helicopter crash funeral

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has directed that all national flags at public buildings be restored to full mast following the funeral of the eight Ghanaians who died in the August 6 helicopter crash.

Earlier, the Presidency had ordered that flags be flown at half-mast across the country in honour of the victims of the military helicopter crash.

Announcing the initial directive at Jubilee House, Mr. Debrah said: “Government regrets to announce the demise of eight persons in the tragic crash. The President and government extend our condolences. All national flags must be flown at half-mast.”

The deceased included the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.

Others were Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC; Mr. Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; Squadron Leader Peter (surname yet to be confirmed); Flying Officer Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo.

They were travelling to Obuasi to attend the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme, an initiative aimed at combating illegal mining.

In a new directive issued on August 18, Minister of State in charge of Government Communication, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, confirmed that flags should now return to full mast.

“Further to the conclusion of the state funeral and the burial of all eight victims, the Chief of Staff directs that flags at all public buildings be restored to full mast with immediate effect. We make this decision mindful of our collective grief and the honour we have paid to those we have lost,” the statement said.