Family members, government officials and other mourners gathered at the Forecourt of the State House last Saturday for the burial service of Captain Frank Amoanyi Donkor and his younger brother, Elijah Ofori Donkor, who died in a microlight aircraft crash earlier this month.
The funeral service saw hundreds of mourners gather to honour the two brothers whose lives were cut short by the tragic incident.
The atmosphere, heavy with grief, was, however, enlivened by performances from renowned gospel artist Elder Mireku.
Government, dignitaries pay respects
A high-level government delegation led by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, which included the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, attended the state-assisted funeral to deliver a tribute on behalf of the state.
Other dignitaries, including the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, senior officers from the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana National Fire Service, were also present to pay their respects.
Wreath-laying
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, laid a wreath on behalf of the state. A family representative followed, then the widow of Capt. Donkor, Naomi Donkor.
The father of the deceased, Elder Frank Kwabena Donkor, also laid a wreath, after which a church elder did so on behalf of the church.
A life of ambition
Capt. Frank Donkor, born December 2, 1990, at Madina, began his journey in aviation about 15 years ago.
After his early education at Sunset Preparatory School and Abibiman Academy, he attended Nkwatia Secondary School, where he earned a scholarship for academic excellence.
His pursuit of aviation took him across continents — from Pentecost University in Ghana to Coventry University in the UK, pilot training in Russia and ultimately to Northeastern State University in the United States, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics in December 2016.
Capt. Donkor was a certified Flight Instructor with licences from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and held two certifications from the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI).
He had recently added RFSC 9 Series Service and Series Maintenance Certification to his credentials.
In 2023, he returned to Ghana with a vision to transform the aviation sector, joining Starwest Flight Academy as a Flight Instructor, where he mentored aspiring pilots.
Just months before his passing, on December 13, 2025, he married Naomi.
The younger brother, Elijah Ofori Donkor, was born on April 5, 2001, at Darkuman.
After completing Pretty Peep International School and Royal Priesthood Academy, he continued his education at Abetifi Presbyterian Senior High School before studying Agriculture at the University of Ghana, Legon.
Following his graduation, he pursued his passion for farming, engaging in both fish and crop production.
Tributes
In a tribute read at the service by the parents, they said Capt. Frank Donkor did not just aspire to fly, he embodied flying.
“He had hopes and plans to make a lasting impact on the Aviation Industry in Ghana, and we believed in him.
Today, we have not only lost a son.
We have lost our comforter, our guide, our pilot; the one who gave direction, the one who shone a light in this family,” they said.
Naomi Donkor, who married Frank just three months before his passing, recalled their last morning together.
“In the early hours of that morning, around 4 a.m., you were fast asleep with me by your side when Elijah called you.
When the phone rang, you answered and said jokingly, ‘Elijah, why are you calling me at this time?
Because you don’t have a wife?
I have a wife oo, let me sleep beside her.”
When you finished dressing, you came to me, held me close, hugged me tight and assured me you were going to be back from your meeting even before I knew.
If only I knew that would be our last hug, I would have hugged you longer and memorised every second.
Even as you left that morning, you didn’t leave me empty.
You left me a gift, a precious gift, a living reminder of your love, a blessing that carries your heartbeat and your legacy,” she recalled.
The tragedy
The brothers were returning from a meeting in Ho on March 16 when the Sky Arrow microlight aircraft (registration 9G-ADV) they were piloting experienced an engine failure and crashed shortly before reaching its destination. Both men died in the crash.
Capt. Donkor, an experienced pilot and instructor with over 15 years of experience, was at the controls.
His younger brother Elijah, who shared his love for aviation, was with him on the journey.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
