Captain Paul Forjoe, a retired pilot and a senior aviation engineer with the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB), has praised the swift response of emergency teams who reached the site of the Ghana Air Force helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight people, including two government ministers and senior officials.
Speaking during the official presentation of the investigation’s findings, Captain Forjoe said the rescue teams faced extreme weather and terrain challenges but still managed to arrive at the crash site within two 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 on board were killed. The victims included 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 Forjoe explained that the accident site was difficult to access, with rescuers battling heavy rainfall 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.