Mahama Receives Final Report on Tragic Z-9EH Helicopter Crash That Killed Defence Minister and 7 Others
The final report on the devastating military helicopter crash of August 6, 2025, has been formally submitted to President John Dramani Mahama by the investigative committee, which was chaired by the Acting Minister for Defence, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
The official presentation took place on Monday, November 10, 2025, during a high-level meeting of the National Security Council convened at the Jubilee House, the seat of government in Accra.
Established immediately following the tragedy, the committee received a clear mandate to determine the precise cause of the accident and to propose comprehensive measures aimed at preventing any recurrence of such incidents in the future.
According to reliable sources within the government, the exhaustive report includes an in-depth analysis of technical malfunctions, operational procedures, and environmental conditions that potentially converged to precipitate the fatal crash.
A decision has been reached to release the full findings to the public on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, through a specially arranged official press briefing, during which senior officials are expected to elaborate on the principal recommendations and outline the government’s intended course of action moving forward.
The ill-fated aircraft was a Harbin Z-9EH military helicopter bearing the tail number GHF 631 and operated by the Ghana Air Force. It had taken off from Accra at approximately 9:12 a.m., bound for Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, as part of a coordinated anti-illegal mining enforcement operation when it suddenly disappeared from radar before crashing in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
In a heartbreaking outcome, all eight individuals on board—comprising both passengers and crew—perished in the accident. Those who lost their lives were Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister for Defence; Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology; Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, National Democratic Congress Vice-Chair; Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The thorough investigation was led by National Security Coordinator Abdul-Osman Razak, working in close partnership with specialised units of the Ghana Air Force, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and a team of renowned international aviation experts to ensure the highest standards of objectivity and technical accuracy.
