Ghanaian authorities have recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders commonly referred to as “black boxes” from the military helicopter that crashed in the Ashanti region, killing eight people, including two senior Cabinet ministers.
President John Mahama confirmed the retrieval of the devices and announced that the Ghana Armed Forces had launched a full and transparent investigation into the tragedy.
The Z9 military helicopter was travelling from the capital, Accra, to the mining town of Obuasi when it went down in a densely forested area amid poor weather conditions. There were no survivors. Among the victims were Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed and Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress, also lost their lives.
Local meteorological agencies had predicted unusually cold and foggy conditions for August, with heavy rains and mist reducing visibility in many forested regions. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the helicopter flying at an unusually low altitude shortly before hearing a loud explosion.
“One moment I heard the sound of the helicopter passing, then there was a loud sound and a bang,” a local farmer told the BBC. “When I got there, there was no one to rescue.”
The crash is the most deadly of three recent emergency incidents involving Ghana Air Force helicopters. The black boxes are expected to provide crucial data to investigators seeking to determine the exact cause of the disaster.
In a televised address, President Mahama described the accident as a “personal loss,” noting his close working relationships with the deceased ministers. He extended condolences to the bereaved families and assured the public that the investigation would be thorough.
The bodies of the victims have been recovered, with forensic samples sent to South Africa for identification. A state funeral has been scheduled for August 15, 2025, in Accra, where national flags will fly at half-mast in honour of the fallen leaders.
“This is a dark moment for our country,” President Mahama said. “But we will honour their memory by finding answers and ensuring such a tragedy never happens again.”
