The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakoehene has revealed that Investigators have recovered the black box from the wreckage of Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter that historically crashed at Adansi Akrofuom District in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6.
The Minister confirmed the new twist in a Facebook post on Thursday, August 7, emphasizing on the recovery as a major step in uncovering the cause of the crash that claimed the lives of several high-profile government and military officials.
The black box was discovered by a team of investigators who journeyed to the crash site at Sikaman. The team, made up of Ghana Air Force personnel and other military officers, was accompanied by residents and the Assembly Member for the area, who guided them to the remote scene early Thursday morning.
The tragic crash resulted in the death of the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
Other casualties include Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; and NDC Vice Chairman, Samuel Sarpong.
Three crew members, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah also lost their lives in the crash.
The helicopter, which was en route to Obuasi, reportedly went off radar before the accident occurred. The recovery of the black box is expected to play a critical role in the ongoing investigations to determine the exact circumstances that led to the disaster.
However, the Samples from the remains of the eight individuals have been flown to South Africa for DNA analysis to aid the identification process.
