The helicopter
A helicopter belonging to the Volta River Authority (VRA) made an emergency landing at Nkawkaw near the Nkawkaw bypass yesterday morning, in the Kwahu West Municipality of the Eastern Region.
Multiple reports suggest that the pilot of the Accra-Kumasi bound helicopter with Tail Number 9G-AFW was forced to make the emergency landing due to adverse weather conditions which impacted visibility.
No injuries have been reported, but the emergency landing, which was the second of its kind within a space of five days, has increased public concerns over aviation safety in the country.
This happened just days after a helicopter crash that claimed the lives of two Ministers of State and six other Ghanaians last Wednesday.
On August 6, 2025, another helicopter carrying four people made an emergency landing at the Presby School Park in Ajumako Kokoben in the Central Region due to bad weather conditions.
The unexpected emergency landing attracted large crowds of residents who stormed the school park to catch a glimpse of the rare occurrence.
Reports suggest that the helicopter remained on the school park for about an hour as the crew monitored weather updates and ensured it was safe to resume the journey.
Tragic Accident
On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, a Ghana Armed Forces helicopter carrying government officials, party members, and personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, crashed into a forest near Adansi Brofoyedru in the Ashanti Region, killing all eight (8) on board.
Among the deceased were Defence Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, and former NDC parliamentary candidate for Obuasi East, Samuel Aboagye.
The rest were Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah – all serving officers of the Ghana Armed Forces who died in the line of duty.
A state burial was held on Sunday, August 10, 2025 at the Forecourt of the State House for the late Dr. Ibrahim Muhammed Murtala, and Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed, who were later buried at the Military Cemetery at Tse Addo in Accra in line with Islamic tradition.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak