A retired Air Force Officer, Wing Commander Patrick Nelson Sogbodjor, has called on Ghanaians to remain calm and avoid speculation as investigations continue into the helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including two cabinet ministers.
He emphasised the need to wait patiently for the official findings of the probe. His remarks come after the Ghana Armed Forces announced that they are awaiting examination reports from experts and the aircraft manufacturer regarding the black box.
Speaking to Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, August 13, Mr. Sogbodjor explained:
“It’s not something that can be opened overnight; it has to go to the manufacturers to be opened and decoded. What I can tell Ghanaians is, let’s be patient until the results come out.”
He cited a similar helicopter crash in the United States, where the investigation results were made public only two months after the incident.
Addressing public concerns about whether another helicopter should have been dispatched to the crash site, he said:
“What is the other helicopter going to do?”
The crash claimed the lives of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah; Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong; and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator.
Also killed were three crew members — Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
A state funeral for the victims is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Black Star Square in Accra.
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