Captain Paul Forjoe, a retired pilot and senior aviation engineer with the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB), has commended the swift and courageous response of emergency teams who rushed to the scene of the Ghana Air Force helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including two government ministers and senior officials.
Speaking at the official presentation of the investigation’s findings, Captain Forjoe noted that, despite harsh weather and difficult terrain, the rescue teams reached the crash site within 2 hours.
“The fact that these first responders managed to get to the site in about two hours was remarkable because the terrain has very steep slopes,” he explained.
“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 crash involved a Harbin Z-9EH military helicopter (tail number GHF 631) operated by the Ghana Air Force.
The aircraft departed from Accra at about 9:12 a.m. on August 6 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.
All eight passengers and crew members aboard the Ghana Air Force helicopter tragically lost their lives in the crash.
The victims have been identified as Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology; Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice-Chair; Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Captain Paul Forjoe explained that the crash site was extremely difficult to access, as rescuers had to navigate heavy rainfall, steep terrain, and slippery slopes to reach the wreckage.
“When we went to the site, it was also raining and very slippery, and we struggled using sticks and everything to try to get up there,” he said, noting that the conditions made rescue operations particularly demanding.
The investigation team also acknowledged the efforts of local authorities and the Ghana Armed Forces for their coordinated approach in handling the crisis.
