Captain Paul Forjoe has commended the prompt response of emergency teams who reached the site of the Ghana Air Force helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including two government ministers and senior officials.
Presenting the findings of the official investigation, Captain Forjoe noted that the rescue teams operated under extremely difficult conditions but still managed to arrive at the crash scene within two hours of the incident.
“The fact that these first responders managed to get to the site in about two hours was remarkable because the terrain had very steep slopes,” he said.
“It was raining, it was slippery, so it wasn’t the easiest thing to do… we can confidently say the emergency response was very timely.”
The accident involved a Harbin Z-9EH military helicopter (tail number GHF 631) operated by the Ghana Air Force. The aircraft took off from Accra at 9:12 a.m. on August 26, en route to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region for an anti-illegal mining operation, when it lost radar contact and crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
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All eight passengers and crew on board perished in the crash. The victims were identified as:
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Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
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Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology
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Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
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Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice-Chair
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Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate
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Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
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Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu
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Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
Captain Forjoe emphasized that the accident site was particularly difficult to reach due to heavy rainfall and treacherous slopes.
“When we went to the site, it was raining and very slippery. We had to use sticks and every available means to climb up there,” he recounted, adding that the conditions made the operation extremely challenging.
The investigation team also commended the coordinated efforts of the Ghana Armed Forces and local authorities for their swift and professional handling of the emergency.
Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem