The investigative board tasked with probing the tragic August 6, 2025, crash of a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 helicopter in the Ashanti Region has failed to meet its 30-day deadline for a final report, raising questions about the timeline for answers in the incident that claimed eight lives, including Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Murtala Mohammed.
The board, chaired by the National Security Coordinator and comprising representatives from the Ghana Air Force and the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), was directed to complete its work within 30 days from its formation on August 25,
A preliminary team submitted initial findings on August 25, but no full report has been released as of September 25, prompting scrutiny from stakeholders amid public calls for transparency.
Acting Defence Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced the board’s establishment, noting U.S. Air Force technical assistance and the recovery of flight data and cockpit voice recorders (“black boxes”) for analysis.
The helicopter, en route from Accra to Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining event, crashed into a forested mountainside near Obuasi Black Park, killing all aboard: pilots Flight Lt. Eric Owusu and Flight Lt. Lawrence Kumado, air hostess Corporal Eunice Oforiwaa, and passengers including the ministers, National Security Coordinator Dr. Samuel Agyemang, and others. The victims’ remains underwent DNA testing in South Africa, with a state funeral held on August
President Mahama described the crash as a “national tragedy” and a “personal loss,” promising a “full and transparent investigation.”
The incident, one of Ghana’s worst air disasters in over a decade, involved a Chinese-made Z-9EH helicopter with a history of issues in other countries. The Ghana National Fire and Rescue Service is assisting in the probe alongside other agencies.
As the deadline passes without a report, families and the public await clarity on the cause, with calls for impartiality and international expertise to ensure accountability.
