The Ministry of Defence has announced the official commencement of investigations into the recent Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter crash, with support from the United States Air Force. The crash, which happened in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti region on Wednesday, August 6, claimed the lives of eight individuals, including Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence; Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, and Dr. Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice Chairman.
The rest were Samuel Aboagye, Deputy NADMO Director-General; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah. The Defence Ministry, in a release signed and issued by its Acting Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, on Monday, August 25, disclosed that an Investigation Board has formally begun its work to uncover the cause of the crash.
It also said the Board chaired by the National Security Coordinator, included members from the Ghana Air Force and the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
The Ministry underscored that the United States was providing advisory and technical support through visiting investigators from the U.S. Air Force. The Board may also call upon other relevant experts and institutions—both local and international—to assist with the process.
On the day of the incident, a preliminary investigation team was quickly set up to gather all available evidence to aid the Board’s work. That team is expected to submit its report to the Board today. According to the Ministry, the Board has been given a 30-day mandate to complete its investigations.
By: Abigail Arthur
