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The investigative committee that examined the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash has ruled out claims of a mid-air explosion, confirming that the blast occurred only upon ground impact.
Presenting the committee’s findings on Tuesday, November 11, the committee chair, Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe, said investigations revealed that the crash was caused by a sudden loss of altitude and lift resulting from a powerful downdraft.
He clarified that although the helicopter lacked certain modern safety features, their absence was not the direct cause of the crash.
“If you have all these other enhancements, the Air Force would be happy to have them because they know what it would help them do, and it will make our dignitaries much safer when they fly,” Captain Forjoe explained. “But it doesn’t mean that because those enhancements were not there, that is why the accident happened; it would be wrong to say so.
In terms of the explosion, there was no explosion before. The Z-9 helicopter’s fuel tank is under where the passengers sit. It had been fuelled up well, so it was on impact that the explosion took place.”
The committee was established shortly after the crash to determine its causes and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences. Its findings covered technical, operational, and environmental factors contributing to the tragedy.
The accident involved a Harbin Z-9EH military helicopter (tail number GHF 631) operated by the Ghana Air Force. The aircraft departed Accra at about 9:12 a.m. on an anti-illegal mining operation to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, before losing radar contact and crashing in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
All eight passengers and crew on board were killed, 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
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
The investigation was supervised by National Security Coordinator Abdul-Osman Razak, in collaboration with the Ghana Air Force, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and international aviation experts.
Safety Recommendations
The committee urged the government to modernise the Ghana Air Force fleet and implement a series of safety upgrades to enhance aviation operations and prevent future accidents.
Key recommendations include:
- Acquisition of modern aircraft with terrain avoidance warning systems and advanced navigation technologies.
- Installation of cockpit voice recorders and audiovisual-capable flight data recorders.
- Investment in simulators for recurrent pilot training and partnerships with certified aviation weather service providers.
- Development of en route navigational aids, particularly in remote areas.
- Establishment of a flight data monitoring and en route tracking system.
- Modernisation of ground support equipment to improve operational safety.
The committee said implementing these measures would strengthen Ghana’s aviation capacity and reduce the risk of future air disasters.
