The Western Region has been plunged into mourning after confirmation that all three crew members who perished in Wednesday’s deadly military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region were personnel of the Takoradi Air Force Base.
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, leading a delegation to console grieving families, disclosed the regional connection during a solemn visit to the home of Flying Officer Manin Twum‑Ampedu, the co‑pilot of the ill‑fated aircraft. Twum‑Ampedu’s wife, Naval Lieutenant Ewuradwoa Kumi‑Kyeremah, is a psychologist with the 2‑Garrison in Sekondi.
“The whole country is grieving, but particularly the Western Region. We have three of the crew; all the crew members happen to come from here, from the Air Force Base of Takoradi, and so we have been hit directly by this unfortunate accident.”
— Joseph Nelson, Western Regional Minister
The tragic crash occurred on Wednesday, August 6, when a Ghana Air Force Z‑9 helicopter transporting government officials from Accra to Obuasi went down in the Adansi Akrofuom District. All eight people on board died instantly when the aircraft, engulfed in flames, crashed in a forested area.
The three Air Force personnel were:
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala – Pilot
- Flying Officer Manin Twum‑Ampedu – Co‑Pilot
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah – Flight Technician
They had been assigned to ferry five high‑profile passengers to the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) in Obuasi.
Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, Commodore Samuel Ayelazono, described the loss as one of the most painful moments in recent memory.
“This is a very difficult one, and every comfort is required to strengthen us to enable us to go through this difficulty,” he said.
Full List of Victims
The crash claimed the lives of:
- Dr Edward Omane Boamah – Minister for Defence
- Dr Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed – MP for Tamale Central; Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation
- Alhaji Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
- Dr Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman of the NDC; former Kumasi Mayor
- Samuel Aboagye – Former Parliamentary Candidate
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala – Ghana Air Force
- Flying Officer Manin Twum‑Ampedu – Ghana Air Force
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah – Ghana Air Force
The names were confirmed by Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, who described the crash as a “national tragedy” and ordered all national flags to fly at half‑mast until further notice.
Timeline of the Tragedy
According to the Ghana Armed Forces, the helicopter took off from Accra at 09:12 GMT and went off radar shortly after departure. Initial search‑and‑rescue efforts were launched immediately, but by midday, reports emerged from Adansi Brofoyedru of a crash site with no survivors.
The cause of the accident remains unknown, though preliminary accounts suggest the helicopter may have struck a tree, with bad weather conditions under investigation as a possible contributing factor.
As the Western Region reels from the loss of its own servicemen, the tragedy has united the nation in grief. Memorial services are expected to be held in Takoradi in the coming days to honour the crew members’ dedication and sacrifice.
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