Otumfuo Informed as Family Sets Date for NDC’s Dr. Samuel Sarpong’s Final Funeral Rites
The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has been informed about the arrangements for the final funeral rites of Dr Samuel Sarpong, one of the August 6 helicopter crash victims.
A family delegation, including three of his sons, was received at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on October 9, 2025.
As part of their mission, they announced October 18, 2025, as the date for the rites, which will follow the state burial held for the victims.
The late first National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was among the eight officials and crew who lost their lives in a Ghana Armed Forces Helicopter crash at Sikaman in the Akrofuom district.
He was buried alongside five others at the Military Cemetery in Tse Addo, Greater Accra Region, on August 15.
Other victims included Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator.
It also claimed the lives of Mr Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General, NADMO, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manden Twum-Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Profile
Born on November 7, 1957, Dr Sarpong rose to become a distinguished public servant, politician, and community leader whose life was marked by service, courage, and resilience.
His early education took him through Adadientem, Besease R/C, Sefwi Wiawso, and finally Esease Middle School, where he completed his basic schooling.
He proceeded to Osei Tutu Secondary School, then to Wesley College, where he trained as a teacher.
Upon completion, he taught at Juaben Secondary School from 1981 to 1982 as a physical education (P.E.) and Asante Twi teacher.
Dr Sarpong’s leadership qualities quickly became evident, earning him the role of PDC Coordinator for the Ejisu/Juaben District. He coordinated the Programme of Action to Mitigate the Social Costs of Adjustment (PAMSCAD).
His pursuit of higher learning and specialised knowledge led him abroad—first to Cuba, where he studied criminology, and later to Bulgaria for further studies.
His professional career was diverse and impactful. He served with the Special Branch (now BNI), the Ashanti Regional Investigation Committee (ASHRIC), which later became the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), and subsequently the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
He also served as Acting Director of SFO for the Northern Sector, covering the Ashanti, Bono Ahafo, Northern, Upper East, and Upper West regions.
In politics, Dr Sarpong held numerous leadership roles, including Mayor of Kumasi (2009), Ashanti Regional Minister (2013), Central Regional Minister, and Parliamentary Candidate for Nyiaeso (NDC) in 2016.
He also served as Director of the State Housing Corporation. In addition, he later obtained an Executive Master’s Degree from GIMPA.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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