Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson
The Acting Minister for Defence, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced that the investigative board commissioned by President John Mahama has begun work to unravel the cause of the Z-9 helicopter crash, which killed eight (8) Ghanaians on August 6, 2025 at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region.
A press statement issued by the Minister indicated that the investigation board chaired by the National Security Coordinator, DCOP Abdul-Osman Razak with membership drawn from the Ghana Air Force and the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has commenced work.
Dr. Forson further stated that the board, which is mandated to complete its work within 30 days, will receive advice and assistance from the United States of America through visiting investigators from the US Air Force.
“The Board may also invite other relevant experts and institutions, both local and international, to assist with the investigation,” part of the statement read.
It would be recalled that, on the day of the incident; August 6, 2025, a preliminary investigation team was constituted to gather available evidence relating to the crash in support of the Board’s work.
The preliminary investigation team was scheduled to submit its report to the Board yesterday, August 25, 2025.
The helicopter crash occurred on Wednesday, August 6, while officials were en route to the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme in Obuasi.
The incident claimed the lives of several high-ranking officials, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed; National Vice Chairman of the NDC, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, and Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate.
Three crew members, Wing Commander Peter Baafemi Anala, Flight Lieutenant Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Flight Sergeant Ernest Addo-Mensah also perished in the crash.
An interdenominational funeral ceremony was held for the victims at the Black Star Square, followed by a burial ceremony at the Military Cemetery at Tse Addo on Friday, August 15.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke