Three gallant officers of the Ghana Air Force are among the eight souls lost in the tragic military helicopter crash that has plunged the nation into deep mourning.
Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah were on duty, flying a high-profile government delegation to the Ashanti Region when their aircraft went down under mysterious circumstances.
The airmen were at the controls of a Z9 military helicopter transporting government officials to Obuasi for the official launch of the Responsible Co-operative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), a key initiative aimed at combating illegal mining and promoting sustainable practices in the sector. The crash has abruptly ended what was meant to be a landmark national exercise, sending shockwaves through the military, government, and general public.
Dedicated to the skies
A highly respected pilot in the Ghana Air Force, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala exemplified discipline, intellect, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in both service and scholarship.
Anala began his academic journey at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in 2008, where he studied Computer Engineering.
After graduating in 2012, his passion turned from circuit boards to cockpits, and he entered the Ghana Armed Forces with a vision to protect the nation from the air.
His dedication to professional growth never waned.
In 2021, he returned to KNUST to pursue a Master of Science in Air Transport and Aviation Management, focusing on aviation systems, safety, and strategic operations.
At the time of his passing, he was pursuing a postgraduate programme in Safety and Accident Investigation in the United Kingdom, underscoring his lifelong mission to improve aviation safety standards in Ghana and beyond.
Squadron Leader Anala’s tragic passing robs Ghana not only of a dedicated officer but also a visionary aviator and scholar committed to building a safer and more efficient airspace.
A rising star
Flying Officer Manaen Twum-Ampadu was a young but promising officer whose star was rapidly rising in Ghana’s military aviation sector.
Known for his sharp intellect and quiet resolve, Twum-Ampadu studied Geography at KNUST, graduating in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
His deep understanding of spatial and environmental dynamics equipped him with a unique skillset that complemented his flying career.
He joined the Ghana Armed Forces soon after university, quickly proving himself as a capable and reliable officer in national operations.
From the classroom to the cockpit, Twum-Ampadu’s journey was guided by a clear sense of purpose — to serve Ghana with distinction and courage.
His death is a devastating loss to the Air Force and a generation of young officers looking up to him.
The unseen pillar in the sky
Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, the third Air Force casualty in the crash, was a key member of the helicopter’s crew, performing vital operational and technical duties in support of the mission. While less is publicly known about his background, tributes pouring in from colleagues describe him as disciplined, dependable, and wholly devoted to duty.
Mensah’s contribution to the Ghana Air Force may have been behind the scenes, but it was no less critical. In an institution that relies on precision and teamwork, his presence was part of the strength that kept missions airborne.
Government officials among the dead
Also killed in the crash were:
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology
Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
Dr. Samuel Sarpong, National Vice Chairman of the NDC and former Ashanti Regional Minister
Samuel Aboagye, former Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East
The cause of the crash is still unknown. Military authorities, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, have launched a full-scale investigation into the incident.
Aviation experts are also expected to arrive from international partner nations to assist in the probe, especially given the experience of Squadron Leader Anala in air safety and accident investigation.
A tragedy that transcends politics and rank
The death of these Air Force officers, along with their civilian passengers, has sparked a nationwide outpouring of grief, with tributes from political parties, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens.
The Air Force, in particular, is reeling. For an institution that places precision and safety at its core, this tragedy is deeply felt in its ranks and raises questions that will weigh heavily in the weeks to come.
