President John Dramani Mahama has announced the formation of a formal Board of Inquiry to investigate the military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight Ghanaians in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
In a televised national address on Thursday evening, the President acknowledged the grief and public demand for answers, assuring the nation of a transparent and thorough investigation.
“Questions about the cause of this tragedy are natural and important,” President Mahama said. “I want to assure the families and the nation that the Ghana Armed Forces has initiated a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances of this crash.”
Government sources confirmed that both the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder—commonly referred to as the “black boxes”—have already been recovered from the crash site, providing critical data for the inquiry.
The ill-fated helicopter was transporting five senior public servants and three crew members of the Ghana Air Force on official duty when it went down. All eight on board were killed.
The President’s announcement comes at a time of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast across the country. The government has declared three days of national mourning—from August 7 to 9—in honour of the deceased.
Describing the incident as one of the most painful tragedies in Ghana’s recent history, President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to uncover the truth and uphold accountability.
“The dignity of the lives lost demands answers,” he emphasized. “We owe that to the families, the Armed Forces, and the entire nation.”
The Board of Inquiry, which is expected to commence work immediately, will examine all technical, operational, and procedural aspects that may have contributed to the crash.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
