New details from the official investigation into the tragic August 6, 2025, helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region have confirmed that the Ghana Air Force aircraft involved met all required basic safety protocols prior to the accident. The disclosure was made by aircraft investigation expert Captain Paul Forjoe during a press briefing on November 11, 2025.
The military helicopter, a Harbin Z-9EH (tail number GHF 631), had departed from Accra at approximately 9:12 a.m., bound for Obuasi for an official anti-illegal mining engagement, when it lost radar contact and subsequently crashed into the forested district, claiming all eight lives on board.
According to the investigative report, the aircraft complied with standard operational and safety requirements and was considered airworthy. While it met fundamental safety criteria, the report noted that the helicopter did not have certain advanced safety enhancements that could have provided additional protection under extreme conditions.
The crew’s readiness was also confirmed as part of the investigation. The pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer had all completed three prior flights before the fatal mission and observed a full 24-hour rest period, ensuring they were well-prepared and free from fatigue. Medical and psychological records for the entire crew were reviewed, and no issues were found that could have contributed to the crash.
The findings were presented to President John Dramani Mahama by the Acting Minister of Defence, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, during a National Security Council meeting. The presentation marked the culmination of months of work by a high-level committee tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The victims of the tragedy included high-ranking officials and military personnel: the Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna; NDC Vice-Chair, Dr. Samuel Sarpong; former parliamentary candidate and Deputy NADMO Coordinator, Samuel Aboagye; alongside the flight crew: Wing Commander Peter Bafemi Anala, Flight Lieutenant Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Flight Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
While the report reaffirmed that both the aircraft and the crew were fit for flight, the investigation emphasized the need for upgraded safety equipment and additional technological enhancements to further safeguard future operations. The report serves as a critical step toward understanding the crash and ensuring that lessons are implemented to prevent similar tragedies in Ghana’s military aviation sector.
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