Captain Paul Forjoe, a retired pilot and senior aviation engineer with the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB), has praised the swift and courageous response of emergency teams following the August 6 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight people, including two government ministers and senior officials.
Speaking during the official presentation of the investigative report, Captain Forjoe highlighted the difficult conditions under which the first responders operated, describing their efforts as remarkable.
“The fact that these first responders managed to reach the site in about two hours was remarkable, considering the terrain had very steep slopes. It was raining and slippery, so it wasn’t an easy task… we can confidently say the emergency response was very timely,” he commended.
The fatal crash involved a Harbin Z-9EH military helicopter, tail number GHF 631, which took off from Accra at around 9:12 a.m. on August 6, heading to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region for an anti-illegal mining mission. The aircraft reportedly lost radar contact before crashing in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
All eight people on board perished, including: Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology; Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice-Chair; Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Captain Forjoe recounted the challenges faced by the rescue teams navigating treacherous terrain amid heavy rainfall to reach the wreckage.
“When we went to the site, it was raining and very slippery. We had to use sticks and other tools to make our way up there,” he recalled.
The investigation team also commended the coordinated efforts of local authorities and the Ghana Armed Forces, whose actions helped manage the tragedy despite the harsh environmental and logistical challenges.