Black Box Recovered from Deadly Ashanti Helicopter Crash That Claimed Top Officials

Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has confirmed the recovery of the black box from the Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter that crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District on Wednesday, August 6, killing several high-ranking government and military officials.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, August 7, Dr. Amoakohene announced that a joint team of investigators had successfully retrieved the black box—a critical device that could reveal the cause of the disaster.

The recovery mission, carried out early Thursday morning, involved officers from the Ghana Air Force and other military units, assisted by local residents and the area’s Assembly Member. They navigated dense forest terrain to reach the remote crash site.

The crash is being described as one of Ghana’s most tragic air accidents in recent years. Among the victims were Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.

Others who lost their lives included Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC. All three crew members—Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah—also perished.

Preliminary information suggests the helicopter was on its way to Obuasi when it disappeared from radar, triggering an urgent search operation by both military and local authorities.

Investigators hope the black box will provide key data to help reconstruct the events leading to the fatal crash. In the meantime, samples of the victims’ remains have been sent to South Africa for DNA analysis to confirm their identities.