The Western Region is in deep mourning following confirmation that all three crew members who perished in Wednesday’s fatal military helicopter crash were personnel from the Takoradi Airforce Base.
Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, who led a delegation to console the bereaved families, revealed the regional connection during a solemn visit to the family of Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampedu—one of the deceased crew members. His wife, Naval Lieutenant Ewuradwoa Kumi-Kyeremah, is a psychologist with the 2-Garrison.
“The whole country is grieving, but particularly the Western Region. All three crew members were from here, from the Airforce Base in Takoradi, and so we have been directly hit by this unfortunate accident,” the Minister said.
The helicopter crash occurred in the Dampia Range Forest Reserve near Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region. It claimed the lives of eight people, including two ministers of state and senior security officials. The crew—Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala (pilot), Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampedu (co-pilot), and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah (flight technician)—were transporting government officials to Obuasi for official duties.
Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, Commodore Samuel Ayelazono, described the loss as one of the most painful in recent memory.
“This is a very difficult one, and every comfort is required to strengthen us through this period,” he said during the visit.
Confirmed List of Victims:
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Dr. Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence
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Dr. Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed – MP for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation
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Alhaji Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
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Dr. Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress
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Samuel Aboagye – Former Parliamentary Candidate
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Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
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Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampedu
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Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, confirmed the casualty list and described the crash as a national tragedy. In honour of the deceased, he has directed that all national flags be flown at half-mast.
The Z-9 Ghana Air Force helicopter was carrying eight people—five passengers and three crew members—on a mission from Accra to Obuasi when it crashed on Wednesday, August 6.
Earlier that day, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) announced the helicopter had gone missing after losing contact with radar shortly after taking off at 09:12 GMT. A search-and-rescue operation was immediately launched, and later confirmed that all on board had died in the crash.
Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the incident.
Source: Adomonline
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