On August 6, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded in Ghana's Ashanti region when a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 helicopter, carrying eight individuals, crashed into a forested mountainside, claiming the lives of all on board. The helicopter had departed from Kotoka International Airport in Accra at 9:12 a.m., destined for an event focused on combating illegal mining at the Obuasi Black Park in Obuasi. This catastrophic event marked one of Ghana's most severe air disasters in over a decade, with the victims' bodies tragically burnt beyond recognition in a post-crash fire.

Three months later, on Tuesday, November 11, the full investigation report into the incident was released by the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB Ghana). The investigation team was spearheaded by Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe, a seasoned pilot and senior aviation engineer, alongside National Security Coordinator COP Abdul-Razak Osman, nine other members, and three foreign experts: Captain Dena McFadden, Captain Timothy Hayes (both mishap investigators from the United States Air Force), and Sherilyn Klueber from the NCIS Force Protection Detachment at the US Embassy, Ghana. The findings were officially presented at the presidency.

The AIB Ghana determined that the primary cause of the helicopter crash was a sudden and powerful downdraft, which led to a catastrophic loss of altitude and lift. The investigative committee debunked earlier reports of a mid-air explosion, confirming that the explosion occurred solely upon impact with the ground. Captain Forjoe clarified that the Z-9 helicopter's fuel tank is situated directly beneath the passenger seats, and since the aircraft was fully fueled for its flight to Obuasi and back, the ground impact ignited the fuel, causing the explosion. Eyewitness accounts and physical evidence consistently supported this finding, with investigators meticulously analyzing the impact site, timing, and various reports.

Regarding the flight crew, Captain Forjoe confirmed that both the pilot and co-pilot were in good standing, having met all professional and regulatory requirements and qualifications necessary to operate the aircraft before the incident. However, poor weather conditions played a significant contributing role, delaying the helicopter's departure from its originally scheduled 8:00 a.m. takeoff by approximately an hour. Visibility was severely limited across southern Ghana on the morning of the crash, with mist, drizzle, and low clouds affecting flight operations.

Reports indicated that visibility dropped to as low as 200 meters at certain points. Conditions in Accra were misty with visibility around five to seven kilometers and low clouds between 700 and 1100 feet above ground. Along the route, weather deteriorated further, with drizzle reducing visibility to about four kilometers and low clouds hovering between 600 and 900 feet. A critical deficiency identified was that the pilots only had access to Accra and Kumasi aerodrome weather reports, lacking formal weather information for the specific stretch of the flight where the crash occurred. Witnesses in Brofoyedru and surrounding areas corroborated reports of fog and rain, which further worsened visibility near the crash site.

Compounding these challenging atmospheric conditions was the nature of the crash location itself. The forest reserve and its rugged terrain, characterized by hills and mountains, inherently contributed to difficult flying conditions. Captain Forjoe explained that such environmental factors are known to generate turbulence, downdrafts, and other hazardous phenomena, directly influencing the sudden and powerful downdraft that proved fatal.

The eight distinguished individuals who tragically lost their lives were Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister for Defence; Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology; Muniru Mohammed Limuna, the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC); Mr. Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Twum Ampadu (also referred to as Manaen Twum Ampofo); and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

In the aftermath, the government officially received the investigation report at Jubilee House. The Minority in Parliament, led by Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, announced they are awaiting the government’s official position and a full review of the report before offering a comprehensive opinion. The Minority emphasized a constructive approach focused on improving aviation safety rather than assigning blame. Furthermore, the investigative committee issued several key safety recommendations aimed at preventing future incidents. These include modernising the Ghana Air Force fleet, acquiring aircraft equipped with terrain avoidance warning systems, enhancing weather monitoring capabilities, and investing in advanced pilot training simulators.