The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is mourning the loss of three personnel who perished alongside five government officials in the August 6 military helicopter crash at Adansi Sikaman in the Ashanti Region.
The Harbin Z-9EH helicopter was en route to Obuasi for an official assignment when it crashed in the Dampia Range Forest Reserve, killing all eight on board.
Below are verified profiles of the three fallen Ghana Air Force officers:
Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala (GH/4281) Born on November 2, 1989, in Siniesi, Upper East Region, to the late Paul Oscar Anala and Madam Lucy Apung Anala.
He attended St James Seminary Secondary School, Sunyani, and later studied Computer Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Anala enlisted into the Ghana Military Academy on June 20, 2013, and was commissioned into the Aircrew Branch on October 17, 2013.
He served as a pilot with the No 8 Helicopter Wing and was married with one child.
Black Wednesday: How Dr Murtala changed plans to board commercial plane for military aircraft
Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu (GH/5426) Born on January 17, 1995, in Kwahu Adumoah, Eastern Region, to Mr Emmanuel Macdouglas Ampadu and Madam Patience Ampadu.
He attended Aburi Presbyterian Secondary School before pursuing a degree in Geography at KNUST.
Ampadu enlisted into the Ghana Military Academy on December 16, 2020, and was commissioned into the Aircrew Branch on November 4, 2021.
He served as a co-pilot with the No 8 Helicopter Wing and was married.
Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah (202154) Born on July 5, 1988, in Labadi, Accra, to the late Mensah Ashiaquaye and the late Victoria Morkeh.
He attended EMIT Electronic Institute in Accra. Sergeant Mensah joined the Air Force Recruit Training School on July 22, 2011, and graduated into the Engineering Branch on January 22, 2012.
He served as a technician with the No. 8 Helicopter Wing and had recently married.
The Ghana Armed Forces has described the loss as a devastating blow and remains in a state of shock.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, with aviation safety experts and independent assessors supporting the review.
Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWebs yet-to-air documentary on teenage girls and how fish is stealing their futures below: