Accra: The remains of the helicopter crash victims have been brought to Accra onboard the Ghana Air Force Casa 295 aircraft.
According to Ghana News Agency, a statement issued by the Ghana Armed Forces, signed by Naval Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, Acting Director General, Public Relations Department, confirmed that the remains arrived yesterday, August 6, 2025, at the Air Force Base, Accra. They were received by government officials led by Julius Debrah, the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, alongside the Military High Command and well-wishers.
The bodies have been placed at the 37 Military Hospital for preparation for burial. All eight bodies were recovered from the crash site located in the Sikaman area near Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region.
The helicopter crash claimed the lives of crew members Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah. The passengers included Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC, and Mr. Samuel Aboagye, a former Parliamentary candidate.
Investigations have been initiated to ascertain the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, flags at the Ministries of Defence, Environment, Science and Technology, along with other government entities, corporate organizations, and embassies are flying at half-mast to honor the deceased dignitaries and service members.
The Z9 helicopter departed on Wednesday morning at 0912 hours from Accra, headed to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, before it crashed. The Z-9 helicopters are produced by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation in China and are a licensed variant of the French Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin. Variants of the Z9 include the Z-9B (multi-role), Z-9C (naval version), and Z-9W (armed variant). Major users of Z9 helicopters include the People's Liberation Army Ground Force and the Pakistan Naval Air Arm, among others.
