The investigative committee probing the August 6 military helicopter crash has revealed that the aircraft, though declared airworthy, lacked essential safety systems that could have prevented the fatal accident.
Chaired by Acting Minister for Defence, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the committee submitted its final report to President John Dramani Mahama during a National Security Council meeting at the Jubilee House on Monday, November 10, 2025.
Presenting the report’s findings, Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe disclosed that the Harbin Z-9EH helicopter operated by the Ghana Air Force did not have critical safety equipment such as the Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS/EGPWS), advanced terrain mapping navigation, and automatic flight control systems.
“The aircraft was declared serviceable and signed off by the pilot, who was fully competent to operate it,” Captain Forjoe stated.
The Z-9 helicopter, with tail number GHF 631, departed Accra at 9:12 a.m. en route to Obuasi on an anti-illegal mining mission when it lost radar contact and crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
All eight passengers and crew aboard perished in the crash. 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
Dr. Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice-Chair
Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate
Sqn. Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu
Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
The investigation—led by National Security Coordinator Abdul-Osman Razak—involved experts from the Ghana Air Force, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and international aviation consultants.
The report, according to officials, will guide the upgrade of safety protocols and equipment modernization in Ghana’s military aviation operations to prevent future tragedies.
