President John Dramani Mahama has received the investigation report into the August 6th helicopter tragedy from Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Acting Defence Minister.
Dr Forson, who is also the Finance Minister, led the Committee that investigated the August 6 helicopter crash to present their report and findings to the President at a meeting of the National Security Council at the Presidency in Accra.
The investigative Committee was chaired by the National Security Coordinator, Commissioner of Police (COP) Abdul-Razak Osman (rtd).
The Government will make the content of the report public on Tuesday, November 11.
The ill-fated aircraft, a Harbin Z-9EH military helicopter with tail number GHF 631, was operated by the Ghana Air Force.
It departed Accra Air Force Base at about 9:12 a.m. on that fateful Wednesday, heading to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region on an anti-illegal-mining (galamsey) mission.
The flight was part of ongoing government efforts to monitor and curb illegal mining activities destroying water bodies and forest reserves.
According to preliminary accounts, the helicopter lost radar contact shortly after entering the Adansi Akrofuom District, where it later crashed into a forested area, leaving no survivors.
National tragedy
Among the eight victims were Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed Limuna, NDC National Vice-Chair Samuel Sarpong, and former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye.
The three military personnel on board—Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah—were part of the Air Force’s special operations unit.
The accident plunged the nation into mourning, with President Nana Akufo-Addo describing it as “a devastating loss to the Republic and a painful reminder of the risks borne by those who serve in the public interest.”
Flags across all government institutions were flown at half-mast for a week, and a state funeral was later held at Independence Square.
Investigative panel and findings
The forthcoming report is the result of a multi-agency investigation chaired by National Security Coordinator Abdul-Osman Razak.
The probe involved technical experts from the Ghana Air Force, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and international advisers, including aeronautical engineers from Airbus and Chinese aviation authorities familiar with the Z-9 platform.
The inquiry say the team examined a wide range of factors—including airworthiness records, maintenance logs, flight data, weather conditions, and pilot communication—to establish the sequence of events leading to the crash.
The panel also reviewed the Air Force’s operational risk protocols for flights involving civilian passengers on national security assignments.
Public briefing on Tuesday
Announcing the next steps on Sunday, November 9, Kwakye Ofosu said the presentation of the report to the National Security Council marks the final stage of the inquiry process before key findings and recommendations are disclosed publicly.
“Very important week coming up. Today, November 10, the report of the August 6 Helicopter tragedy will be presented to the National Security Council. On Tuesday, the details of the report will be made public at a media briefing,” he posted on his Facebook page.
The minister said the media briefing, scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, will offer insights into the causes of the crash, the safety lapses identified, and recommendations to prevent future aviation disasters, particularly within military operations.
Commitment to transparency and safety
Government sources indicate that the report could lead to a comprehensive review of military aviation safety standards and emergency response mechanisms. It is expected to address whether the helicopter met operational safety requirements for the mission and whether any technical warnings were overlooked prior to departure.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu assured the public that the administration remains committed to transparency, emphasising that lessons drawn from the tragedy will strengthen the country’s aviation safety framework and national crisis-response systems.
“We owe it to the memories of those we lost to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again,” he added.
The presentation of the long-awaited report is expected to bring some closure to grieving families and to a nation still reeling from one of the most devastating air disasters in Ghana’s recent history.
