Deputy Chief of Staff, Stanislav Xoese Dogbe, has urged Bloggers , journalists and other accredited attendees to conduct themselves with dignity during the state funeral for the eight victims of the August 6 helicopter crash.
Addressing the press on Thursday, August 14, Mr. Dogbe outlined preparations and guidelines for the solemn ceremony, stressing the need for a respectful atmosphere on Friday, August 15.
He particularly appealed to media practitioners — especially those granted access to the inner perimeter — to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could disrupt the proceedings.
Mr. Dogbe cautioned against the practice of pursuing mourners with phones, monopods, or other recording devices, noting that such behaviour would be inappropriate for the occasion.
“Reporters and others are not going to be at the inner parameters except photographers and video camera operators. We expect that we will all comport ourselves, and we will respect the guidelines.
“We do not want to see tomorrow [Friday] anybody holding a phone or a monopod and struggling to chase people, chase mourners as they are coming in sit down. We expect a very high level of decorum and solemnity,” Mr. Dogbe warned.
Mr. Dogbe stressed that the solemn nature of the event required the highest standards of respect and conduct.
Two of the victims- Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, were buried on August 10.
The other six left to be buried on August 15 include: Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
