Wg Cdr Acheampong (Far L) was the main pilot of that fatal crash of March 16, 2002
Wing Commander Ben Acheampong, the pilot; Flt Lt S Lartey, co-pilot; Corporal Joseph Bosomefi, a technician; Corporal Emmanuel Yao Akoensi, also a technician; Corporal Frederick Adu-Buxton; and George Debrah, both patients; and Victor Nyarko, a nurse; are the name of the seven (7) gallant men who died in a fatal Air Force helicopter crash in March 2002.
These names have been forgotten by many but in the light of the recent, similar helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight (8) other gallant men, including two Cabinet ministers under John Dramani Mahama’s administration, GhanaWeb looks back on the story of what happened on that Saturday of March 2002.
Without a doubt, the times, circumstances surrounding the 2002 crash that happened in the Atewa Forest, as against the August 6, 2025, one within the Adansi Akrofuom forest are slightly different because of some of the personalities involved, but they should never be forgotten.
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What happened in the 2002 crash?
According to a news report published on GhanaWeb on Wednesday, March 20, 2002, titled, ‘Copter Crash Victims Named,’ the incident happened on Saturday, March 16.
Announced by then Minister of Defence, Dr Addo Kufuor, during a briefing, listed the names of all the seven (7) occupants of the Agusta Bell 412 helicopter being flown by Wing Commander Benjamin Acheampong.
The chopper was on a medical evacuation of transporting two patients from Nkawkaw to Accra when the unfortunate happened during its return trip to the Air Force Base in Accra.
Their bodies, some charred, were only found after three days of searching for them in the Atewa Forest.
Burial of the casualties of the 2002 crash
In a later newspaper report in the Daily Graphic, with the title, ‘Crash casualties interred,’ and authored by F/Sgt William Peprah, it detailed the burial ceremony of the 5 members of the Ghana Armed Forces who died in the crash.
“Burial took place at the Osu Military Cemetery in Accra of the two officers and three other ranks who died in a helicopter crash in the Eastern Region on March 16, 2002,” the report said.
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The report further described what the atmosphere at the cemetery looked like, as well as the dignitaries who were present during the burial service.
Among them was then Vice President of Ghana, the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama; and the late Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, who was by then the Minister of Information and Presidential Affiars.
“The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, led a government delegation which included Ministers of State to the burial service. There was also a large crowd of mourners and sympathisers and a six member Togolese delegation led by the Minister for Defence, Brigadier General Asani Tidjani.
“… There was uncontrollable wailing when the caskets draped in the national flag were being carried from the Airforce Base to the Osu Cemetery. Fifteen wreaths were laid on the graves. Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs, laid one on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief, government and people of Ghana,” the report added.
See images below:
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