Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene has confirmed that investigators have retrieved the black box from the Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter that went down in the Adansi Akrofuom District on Wednesday, August 6, killing several senior government and military officials.
In a statement shared on Facebook on Thursday, August 7, Dr. Amoakohene said a joint team of Ghana Air Force officers, other military personnel, and local residents successfully located the device at the crash site. The Assembly Member for the area assisted in leading the team through thick forest to the remote location.
The crash, regarded as one of the deadliest in Ghana’s recent aviation history, claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong.
Also among the dead were three crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The aircraft was headed for Obuasi when it lost contact with radar, triggering an urgent search operation involving the military and local authorities.
Investigators believe the black box will provide key flight data to help determine what caused the crash.
Meanwhile, remains of the eight victims have been sent to South Africa for DNA testing to assist with formal identification.
