News
Poor weather and downdraft caused military Helicopter crash – Investigation Report
The investigation into the military helicopter crash that killed eight people on August 6, 2025, this year has concluded that the accident was caused by sudden bad weather and a powerful downdraft that forced the aircraft to lose altitude unexpectedly.
According to Captain Paul Fodjour, Head of Investigations at the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB-Ghana), the helicopter encountered severe weather conditions shortly before the crash.
He made this known on Tuesday when he presented the final report of the probe team to the public in Accra.
The helicopter, identified as Z-9EH with tail number GHF 631, was flying from Accra to Obuasi on August 6, 2025, when it crashed in the Ashanti Region.
All three crew members and five passengers on board lost their lives.
Following the tragedy, President John Dramani Mahama directed that a full investigation be conducted to determine the cause of the accident and recommend measures to prevent future occurrences.
The investigation team, led by COP Abdul Razak Osman, National Security Coordinator, included experts from the Ghana Armed Forces, AIB-Ghana, the National Intelligence Bureau, and the U.S. Air Force.
Captain Fodjour explained that the aircraft was airworthy and had passed all necessary safety checks before takeoff.
However, it lacked modern safety systems such as a terrain awareness warning system, autopilot, and advanced navigation features, which could have helped the crew detect and avoid danger.
He revealed that the flight had been delayed earlier due to poor weather, but conditions worsened midair.
“Visibility deteriorated rapidly due to mist and low clouds. The crew tried to climb to clear rising terrain but suddenly lost altitude and crashed about six and a half miles from Obuasi” he said.
According to him, the investigation determined that a downdraft, a sudden downward movement of air caused by changing weather conditions over hilly terrain was the main factor that led to the crash.
“The accident was an unfortunate and sudden weather-related event. The crew were experienced and medically fit, and the aircraft was mechanically sound,” Captain Fodjour stated.
He commended the emergency response teams for their swift reaction.
“Despite the rough terrain, rain, and slippery conditions, rescue teams reached the crash site within two hours. Their effort was remarkable,” he said.
The final report made several safety recommendations aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future.
These include the modernisation of the Ghana Air Force fleet with aircraft equipped with terrain warning and modern navigation systems, the installation of cockpit voice and flight data recorders with audiovisual capability, and investment in flight simulators for pilot training.
The report called for the contracting of certified aviation weather service providers, the establishment of flight data monitoring and real-time tracking systems, and the expansion of navigational aids across the country, especially in remote areas.
Captain Fodjour said implementing these recommendations would help strengthen Ghana’s aviation safety system.
He expressed appreciation to the National Security Secretariat, U.S. and Chinese partners, and the AIB-Ghana team for their technical and logistical support throughout the investigation.
“Our goal is to turn this tragic event into lessons that will make aviation in Ghana safer,” Captain Fodjour said.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Volta North Regional Police Command has secured a conviction of a 27 year old man Mohammed Rafiu for making unlawful entry and stealing church musical instruments at Hohoe in the Volta Region.
On June 5, 2026 the accused was observed near the Faith International Ministry Church carrying a sack containing various items rushing to hail a car.
The witnesses suspected his action and approached to check the content in the sack. The following items were found, One (1) Amplifier, One (1) equalizer, One (1) mixer and
Cross-over Machine all belonging to the church.
The accused was arrested and brought to the Hohoe Police District where he admitted to police to the charges leveled against him.
On Monday June 8, 2026 the accused was put before the Hohoe circuit cout where he pleaded guilty on two counts and was convicted and sentenced to three (3) years for unlawful entry and four (4) years of stealing.
Both sentences are to run concurrently.
The Volta North Regional Police Command has urged the general public to immediately report any suspected criminal activities to the Police for action.
News
Dome-Kwabenya MP, Ga East MCE tour flood-prone areas in the constituency, assure victims of support
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya, Elikplim Akurugu, together with the Municipal Chief Executive for the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Edmund Agboh, and officials of the assembly, have toured several flood-prone communities in the constituency to identify the causes of recent flooding and inspect structures obstructing waterways.
The inspection made on the Monday, 8th June, 2026 formed part of efforts to assess the extent of the flooding, identify structures built on waterways, and develop plans for their demolition to prevent future occurrences.
Some areas visited during the tour included Christian Village, Sesemi, Abokobi Station, Falaku and the Pure Water area, all of which were affected by the recent floods that hit parts of the constituency.
Speaking to the media after the inspection, the MP expressed sadness over the destruction caused by the floods, noting that although no lives were lost, many residents had suffered significant property damage.
She attributed much of the flooding to human activities such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains and the construction of buildings on waterways and drainage channels.
The MP appealed to residents to change their attitudes towards sanitation and environmental management, stressing that the country did not have a deficit of prayers but rather an attitude deficit.
She assured residents that the assembly and its technical team would immediately begin work to address some of the drainage challenges identified during the tour.
Ms. Akurugu sympathised with residents whose homes and businesses were affected by the floods and assured them that efforts were being made to secure relief items to support them.
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Edmund Agboh, said the inspection was intended to take stock of the causes of the recent flooding, which he described as unprecedented.
According to him, the assembly wants to be proactive by identifying and addressing the factors responsible for the flooding before the next rainy season.
Mr. Agboh blamed part of the problem on the increasing number of structures being erected on waterways and drainage paths, as well as the failure of some residents to comply with building regulations.
He disclosed that many of the structures identified during the inspection would be marked for demolition after the necessary procedures had been completed.
The MCE further announced plans to intensify inspections, particularly on weekends, explaining that some developers often undertake unauthorised construction works on Saturdays and Sundays when assembly officials are not at work.
He said the assembly would collaborate with neighbouring jurisdictions and deploy additional resources to improve drainage systems and reduce flooding in the municipality.
The MCE assured that the assembly will use the findings from the inspection to implement immediate and long-term measures aimed at reducing flooding and protecting lives and property in Dome-Kwabenya.
The Director of Works at the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Engineer Justine Glover, said the team inspected several critical locations along the Dakobi River and other flood-prone areas.
He explained that at Pantang Village, officials directed contractors to excavate and open blocked culvert outlets to allow the free flow of water during rainfall.
At Sesemi, he said the team observed extensive damage caused by upstream developments and the absence of proper drainage infrastructure.
Engineer Glover added that officials recommended dredging drainage channels at Abokobi Station to improve the performance of existing culverts.
He further revealed that some structures identified on waterways at Falaku had been earmarked for demolition as part of efforts to restore the natural flow of water.
In addition to the inspection, the MP and the MCE visited residents affected by the floods in the Pure Water area to offer words of encouragement and assure them of support.
The tour also revealed that many residents had constructed buildings on waterways, while several structures lacked the required building permits, a situation officials said had contributed significantly to the flooding experienced in the constituency.
By: Jacob Aggrey
