Mahama sets up inquiry board to probe deadly military helicopter crash
By DL news
Published
3 min read
President Mahama has commissioned a high-level board to investigate the fatal crash of a Ghana Air Force helicopter that killed eight people, including two ministers
President John Mahama has announced the creation of a high-level Investigative Board of Inquiry to determine the cause of a military helicopter crash that occurred on Wednesday in the Adansi Akrofuom district of the Ashanti Region. The accident resulted in the deaths of two cabinet ministers and six others.
Delivering a solemn address to the nation on Thursday night, President Mahama assured citizens that the Ghana Armed Forces would spearhead a thorough and transparent probe into the incident.
“As we mourn, questions about the cause of this tragedy are natural and important,” he said. “I want to assure the families and the nation that the Ghana Armed Forces has initiated a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances of this crash.”
He noted that both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder had been successfully recovered and would assist in uncovering the circumstances leading to the crash.
All eight bodies have been retrieved, and the government is currently in close communication with the families of the deceased to facilitate identification and burial procedures.
A state funeral service, incorporating multiple religious denominations, is scheduled for Friday, August 15, at Black Star Square in Accra. Leading up to the ceremony, the public will have the opportunity to sign Books of Condolence from Sunday, August 10 through Thursday, August 14 at various official sites.
These venues include the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) headquarters, and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) head office.
Calling for solidarity in this period of collective grief, President Mahama urged the public to set aside political affiliations and come together as a nation.
“In this moment of national grief, let us remember that we are, above all, Ghanaians united not just by nationality but by shared hope, shared humanity, and now, shared sorrow,” he stated.
“This is not a time for division, speculation, or political point-scoring. It is a moment for strength, for empathy, and for the enduring Ghanaian spirit.”
“To the families, to the Ghana Armed Forces, to the Ministries and Departments that have lost dedicated staff, and to the National Democratic Congress, which mourns the passing of valued members, may you find strength in their memory and their legacy.”
A commemorative event, named Evening of Reflections, will be held on Saturday, August 9 at the forecourt of the State House in remembrance of those who perished in the crash.
The aircraft involved was a Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter en route to Obuasi, where officials were to attend the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme. The initiative is part of the government’s effort to address illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and encourage regulated, sustainable mining practices.
The deceased include:
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology
Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Former Minister for Food and Agriculture and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC
Samuel Aboagye, Former Parliamentary Candidate
Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Pilot
Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
In honour of the victims, the government has declared a nationwide three-day period of mourning beginning August 7. During this time, flags will be flown at half-mast across the country.
