The investigation board constituted to probe the fatal helicopter crash on August 6, 2025, which claimed eight lives, is set to present its report to the National Security Council on Monday, November 10, 2025.
This follows the committee’s prolonged failure to meet the 30-day deadline set by the Acting Minister of Defence, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, for Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
30-day deadline set for investigation board probing helicopter crash
According to the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the report will also be made public on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, during a press briefing, following its initial presentation to the Security Council on Monday.
“Very important week coming up. Tomorrow, the report of the August 6 Helicopter tragedy will be presented to the National Security Council. On Tuesday, the details of the report will be made public at a media briefing,” he gave the update on his X account on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
The board was also mandated to invite other relevant experts and institutions, both local and international, to assist with the investigations.
Chaired by the National Security Coordinator, DCOP Abdul-Osman Razak, the board’s membership includes representatives from the Ghana Air Force and the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB Ghana), and is supported by the Air Force of the United States of America (USA) with advice and assistance.
Additionally, Kwakye Ofosu stated that the government’s flagship program, ‘Nkoko Nkitinkiti,’ will be launched in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region by President John Dramani Mahama.
Describing it as a ‘very important week ahead,’ he noted that the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, will present the 2026 Budget.
He further characterised the 2026 Budget as one that “brims with far-reaching policy initiatives.
“On Wednesday, President Mahama will launch the ‘Nkoko nkitinkiti’ programme in Kumasi. And then on Thursday, the 2026 Budget, which brims with far- reaching policy initiatives, will be read in Parliament by the Finance minister.”
Background
On August 6, 2025, a Ghanaian Air Force Harbin Z-9EH military helicopter (tail number GHF 631) crashed into a forested mountainside in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, near Obuasi, killing all eight people on board.
The aircraft, a Chinese-licensed variant of the French Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, had departed the Airforce Base in Accra at approximately 9:12 am local time, en route to an event addressing illegal gold mining in the Obuasi area.
It went off radar shortly after takeoff, and the wreckage was later found destroyed by a post-crash fire, with victims burned beyond recognition.
The crash claimed the lives of two Cabinet ministers and other high-ranking officials, marking a significant national tragedy.
The victims were the Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah; the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed; Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna; Vice Chairman of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Dr Samuel Sarpong; and Deputy National Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Samuel Aboagye.
Three crew members, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Malin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, also perished in the crash.
To identify the bodies of the deceased, samples were flown to South Africa for further forensic investigation.
A state funeral was held in Accra on August 15, 2025, attended by the president and senior officials.
Helicopter crash investigative board fails to meet 30-day deadline?
Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna and Dr Murtala Muhammed, the Muslim victims, were buried on August 10, 2025, while the six remaining victims were buried on August 15, 2025.
It is hoped that the findings of the investigative board will help establish the facts surrounding this national tragedy and provide some level of closure to the affected families.
Very important week coming up.
Tomorrow, the report of the August 6 Helicopter tragedy will be presented to the National Security Council.
On Tuesday, the details of the report will be made public at a media briefing.
On Wednesday, President Mahama will launch the “Nkoko…
— Felix Kwakye Ofosu (@FelixKwakyeOfo1) November 9, 2025
MAG/AE
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