The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Obuasi West, Faustilove Appiah Kannin, has shared how she first heard about the tragic August 6 military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.
Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Madam Kannin said she was at a park when Adom News reporter Isaac Normanya approached her with the news.
“He told me there had been a helicopter crash at Sikaman, and when he said that, I shouted ‘Jesus!’ and forgot I was in the midst of people,” she recalled.
She explained that she immediately tried to call some of the passengers she knew, but the calls would not go through.
“I was so confused. I didn’t even know what to do at that moment. I wasn’t sure if I should tell the regional minister because he was sitting on the podium,” she said.
Madam Kannin said she first informed the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the Akrofuom, who was nearby, before later breaking the news to the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene.
“When the regional minister was about to speak, I told him, and he advised me to stay calm and not let people know what had happened. He then found a way to take a break and attend to the matter,” she added.
The MCE said they both made the journey to the crash site, although the minister travelled in another vehicle.
“We got the information around 10:30 a.m. When we arrived, all we could see were flames high up on a mountain. It takes about two hours from town to reach the site, and no car could get there, so the regional minister and others had to walk,” she narrated.
The crash claimed the lives of eight prominent Ghanaians: Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence; Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology; Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate; Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manean Twum-Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Alhaji Muniru and Dr. Murtala were buried on Sunday, August 10, in accordance with Islamic rites. An inter-denominational state burial for all victims is set for August 15.
The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, with assistance from international experts.
Source: Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy
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