A helicopter with the registration number 9G-AFW made an emergency landing this morning near New Generation School in Nkawkaw, Ghana, raising fresh concerns about aviation safety in the region. The incident, attributed to poor weather conditions, marks the second emergency landing involving this aircraft within a fortnight, intensifying public unease following a recent fatal crash involving Ghanaian ministers.
The headmaster of New Generation School, located close to the landing site, revealed that the helicopter initially attempted to land within the school compound but diverted upon spotting children nearby. Speaking to local media, he recounted approaching the pilot, who explained that the manoeuvre was a safety precaution due to adverse weather. “The pilot said they had no choice but to land because of the poor visibility,” the headmaster stated, emphasising the potential risk had the aircraft landed closer to the school.
This event follows a tragic helicopter crash on 6 August 2025 in the Ashanti Region, where a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 helicopter, carrying eight people including Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, plummeted into a forested area, killing all aboard. The sequence of incidents has prompted a reevaluation of the safety and maintenance standards of Ghana’s aviation fleet, particularly the Z-9 helicopters, which have been under scrutiny for their reliability.
Latest updates indicate that the 9G-AFW, operated by Volta River Aviation, was en route from Accra to Kumasi when it encountered severe weather conditions, forcing the emergency landing. Eyewitnesses reported that the helicopter hovered briefly before touching down safely away from the school buildings, with no injuries reported. However, the recurrence of such incidents has sparked calls for a thorough investigation into the operational protocols and maintenance practices of the aircraft.
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has yet to issue an official statement on the latest emergency landing, but sources suggest that an inquiry is underway to assess the factors leading to the decision and to ensure compliance with safety regulations. This comes amid growing public and expert concern over the string of aviation mishaps, with some advocating for a temporary suspension of helicopter operations until a comprehensive safety review is completed.
The tragic loss of high-profile figures in the recent crash has amplified the urgency of addressing these issues. President John Mahama, expressing his grief over the August 6 incident, promised a full investigation and declared three days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast. The retrieval of the flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the crashed Z-9 helicopter is expected to provide critical insights into the causes of that disaster.
As Ghana grapples with these setbacks, the emergency landing of 9G-AFW serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within the nation’s aviation infrastructure. The coming days will likely see increased scrutiny on the measures in place to safeguard against such occurrences, with the hope of restoring public confidence in the safety of air travel.
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