Accra: The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has officially confirmed the crash of its Z9 helicopter that took off this morning at 0912hrs from Accra enroute to Obuasi. A press statement issued by GAF’s Department of Public Relations and signed by Naval Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, the Acting Director, stated that the incident occurred in the general area of Siaman near Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region, resulting in the deaths of all onboard.
According to Ghana News Agency, the crew members who perished in the crash were 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 into the incident have begun to determine the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, flags at the Ministries of Defence, Environment, Science and Technology, and other government ministries, agencies, some corporate organizations, and embassies are flying at half mast to mourn the departed state and ex-service men. The Ghana Armed Forces extended its condolences to the bereaved families.
The Z-9 helicopter is manufactured by Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation in China and is a license-built variant of the French Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin. Variants of the Z9 include 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.