Investigating crashed helicopter: Military invites experts, manufacturer to examine black box

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is awaiting aviation experts and the manufacturers of the Z-9 military helicopter that crashed in the country on August 6 to determine the procedure for examining its anti-crash recorder.

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General William Agyapong, who disclosed this yesterday,  reiterated that the device had already been retrieved and was being preserved as part of ongoing investigations into the tragedy.

“We are waiting on the experts and manufacturers, and a decision will be taken as to how it will be included in the investigation,” he said.

Lt Gen. Agyapong explained that the contents of the recorder, together with other evidence, would guide the scope of the probe into the crash.

He said this when the leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the Burma Camp yesterday to commiserate with the military over the crash and the deaths, which included three military officers.

The visit was also to discuss measures to curb misinformation and disinformation relating to the helicopter crash.

The association also raised concerns over recent incidents of assaults on journalists by military personnel.

Lt Gen. Agyapong expressed gratitude to the GJA for its condolences and public calls for respectful coverage of the tragedy.

He stated that while the GAF had not issued daily updates, it acted swiftly after the crash, initiating rescue protocols within 30 minutes of losing contact with the aircraft.

He described the crash site as a difficult high-ground terrain, 800 feet above sea level in a dense forest, adding that local residents had reached the site and began disturbing the scene before the military arrived.

“Despite the challenges, our team reached the site quickly, secured it and worked with available materials to recover the remains,” he recounted.

The CDS said the bodies were transported from the crash site to Kumasi, placed in coffins draped in national colours and then moved to Accra, all within 10 hours. 

“Considering the terrain and the urgency, this was one of the fastest helicopter recovery operations in the country’s history,” he said.

He also emphasised that the Armed Forces did not condone assaults on journalists and had consistently investigated reported incidents.

He, therefore, apologised to journalists who had suffered such harassment, stating “that is not how we train our troops, and any such infractions are dealt with appropriately”.

The President of the GJA, Albert Dwumfour, appealed to the GAF to provide periodic updates on the ongoing investigations, stressing that the absence of official communication could create a vacuum for misinformation and speculation.

He said the loss of eight prominent citizens, including two serving ministers, was not only a blow to the military and the government, but to the entire nation.

“Ghana has lost leaders, fathers, brothers, mentors and friends. These were men serving their country with dedication, and their sudden departure has left a void that will not be easily filled,” he said.

Mr Dwumfour praised the military’s swift response to the tragedy, but urged that as the investigation unfolded, the GAF should prioritise transparency and timely information-sharing.

“Even if there is no new development, the public needs to hear that there is nothing new. It is better to say so than to remain silent because in that silence, rumours grow, speculation thrives and falsehood takes root,” he said.

Assault on journalists

The GJA President also used the occasion to address recent reports of assaults on journalists by military personnel, stating that such incidents, if unchecked, could erode the long-standing trust between the media and the Armed Forces.

“We acknowledge that journalists have a duty to be responsible and factual, but they also have the right to work without fear of intimidation or harm. Protecting this right strengthens democracy,” he emphasised.

He urged the military leadership to not only investigate such cases swiftly but to also communicate the outcomes to the victims and the public.