Thousands gather to mourn brothers killed in Tema microlight crash

Thousands of mourners gathered at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra on Saturday for the burial service of Frank Amoaning Donkor and Elijah Ofori Donkor, the two brothers who lost their lives in a microlight aircraft crash in Tema earlier this month.

The funeral, held on March 28, began with a brief laying-in-state in the morning, followed by a church service and the interment. The large turnout, which drew attendees from across the country, reflected the widespread public reaction to the incident that claimed the brothers’ lives on March 16.

Among those present were senior government officials, Members of Parliament from both sides of the political divide, and other dignitaries, underscoring the national attention the tragedy has attracted.

The two brothers were the sole occupants of the microlight aircraft, registered as 9G-ADV, which crashed near a school park at Tema Community One. They were traveling from Ho to Accra when the incident occurred. Emergency services reported that both men died at the scene after the aircraft caught fire upon impact.

Authorities have indicated that the crash happened shortly after the aircraft lost radio contact at approximately 14:18 Zulu time. Firefighters who responded to the scene noted that teachers and pupils from a nearby daycare facility had evacuated before the fire spread, preventing further casualties.

Investigations into the cause of the crash remain ongoing, with the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority stating that further updates will be provided as inquiries progress.

The funeral service featured religious leaders who led prayers and scripture readings, while gospel musicians performed hymns throughout the service. Mourners, predominantly dressed in black, moved in an orderly fashion to pay their final respects.

In a statement released ahead of the burial, the families of the deceased described them as “bright lights” and expressed their gratitude for the public support.

“Our hearts are heavy, but we are sustained by the kindness of the nation,” the statement read.

The families also acknowledged the efforts of emergency response agencies, including the Ghana National Fire Service and aviation investigators, for their work in handling the aftermath of the crash.