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
A new international whitepaper on democracy in Africa has placed Ghana’s Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, at the centre of a major research study on the role of opposition parties in strengthening democratic governance across the continent.
The study is being conducted by the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP) in partnership with the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Ghana.
It uses Ghana’s 2025/2026 parliamentary session as a case study to examine how opposition parties can contribute to peace, development and democratic stability.
President of the ACCP, Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, said the research forms part of a wider continental project aimed at identifying successful governance models in Africa.
He explained that the chamber is interested in promoting positive African stories and finding practical democratic systems that other countries can adopt.
Mr. Dwomoh-Doyen said political differences should not create division or hostility among leaders and citizens.
He stated that despite belonging to different political sides, people must work together in the interest of national development.
According to him, Ghana’s democratic journey and parliamentary system made the country an important case for the study.
The whitepaper, titled “A Strong and Responsible Opposition in Africa: A Ghanaian Case Study (2025/2026 Review)”, reviews the Minority Leader’s parliamentary activities, including his statements, motions and media engagements.
Researchers are also conducting public opinion surveys in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale as part of the study.
Head of ACCP’s Liberia branch, Dr. Murphy T. Jackson, said African countries should formally recognise and support the office of the Leader of the Opposition through legal structures and institutional resources.
He noted that such systems would help reduce the chances of unconstitutional changes of government on the continent.
Head of Research at ACCP Ghana, David Adofo, described Ghana’s opposition institution as one of the strongest in Africa.
He said although the current research focuses on Ghana, future studies would examine opposition institutions in other African countries.
Deputy Secretary General of UPF-Ghana, Tegha King, stressed the importance of a responsible opposition in national development.
Speaking on behalf of the Universal Peace Federation and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), he said opposition parties should not be seen as enemies of progress.
According to him, respectful debate, alternative policy ideas and cross-party dialogue are necessary for strong democratic institutions and national peace.
The research comes at a time when some African countries are experiencing political instability and military takeovers.
Despite these challenges, Ghana continues to be recognised as one of Africa’s stable democracies, having recorded several peaceful transfers of power since 1992.
The completed whitepaper will later be submitted to an international peer-reviewed journal, while the abstract has already been made available upon request.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
NuGhana Expat Center to launch ‘AfroTango Platform’ to support diasporans in Ghana and Africa — Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang
The Executive Director of the NuGhana International Expat Center, Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang, has disclosed that the organisation is preparing to launch the “AfroTango Platform” to support diasporans with integration in Ghana and across Africa.
According to him, the platform is intended to help diasporans navigate African systems, which many often find difficult to understand after relocating from Western countries.
“The AfroTango Platform will provide a structured bridge, offering orientation, vetted service referrals, and a trusted community to help them integrate smoothly for business or relocation,” he said.
Mr. Opoku-Agyemang made the disclosure while speaking about a proposal submitted by the NuGhana International Expat Center to the government of President John Dramani Mahama for the establishment of a specialised multi-agency Diaspora Protection and Human Capital Task Force.
According to their statement, the proposal has been submitted to the President and shared with key institutions, including the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), the Ministry of the Interior, the Office of National Security, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of Diaspora Affairs, and the Black Star Experience Secretariat.
Mr. Opoku-Agyemang explained that the proposed task force would help protect diasporans and foreign nationals from organised fraud and exploitation while also helping the country benefit from their expertise, investments, and professional skills.
He noted that many diasporans relocating to Ghana often face challenges such as land disputes, business fraud, and difficulties finding trusted people to guide them through local systems.
President of the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP), Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, who endorsed the proposal, described the initiative as timely and necessary.
According to him, the leadership of NuGhana understands the realities and expectations of diasporans because of their experience living in Western countries.
He appealed to the government to consider the proposal seriously, stating that it could help protect lives and investments while encouraging more diasporans to contribute to national development.
The statement identified key challenges facing diasporans, including organised land and business scams, the absence of a unified system to engage skilled professionals entering the country, and fears over investment security.
Some diasporans who spoke on condition of anonymity also welcomed the initiative and said a state-backed protection system would give them more confidence to relocate and invest in Ghana.
NuGhana said it has already built a human capital and risk database over the past four years to catalogue diasporans and foreign nationals according to their professions, skills, investment interests, and reported incidents.
The organisation added that it is ready to engage the President’s designated team to demonstrate its database and begin a pilot phase of the proposed framework.
By: Jacob Aggrey
