A team of international aviation experts has arrived in the Ashanti Region to assist local authorities in investigating the military helicopter crash that killed two government ministers and six others earlier this month.
The August 6 incident occurred in the Dampia Range Forest Reserve near Brofoyedru-Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofrom District. Among the fatalities were Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. The cause of the crash remains unknown.
Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene confirmed the arrival of the international team and said they had been directed to work closely with key local stakeholders. “Their cooperation is essential,” he noted, expressing confidence that the joint investigation will uncover the factors behind the fatal incident and lead to stronger aviation safety protocols.
The move to bring in foreign investigators underscores the gravity of the crash, which has raised questions about military flight safety standards and the security of government officials operating in high-risk areas.
In a related development, Dr. Amoakohene voiced support for the Inspector General of Police’s recent decision to withdraw a controversial anti-illegal mining task force from operations in the region. While the task force had made headway in tackling illegal gold mining—commonly known as galamsey—the Minister acknowledged that its methods often bypassed local governance structures, undermining collaboration with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), regional officials, and traditional leaders.
“Security management cannot be centralized,” Dr. Amoakohene said. “Effective enforcement in mining communities depends on dialogue and the integration of local structures.”
He added that forthcoming reforms would prioritize community engagement, aiming to create a more sustainable and cooperative framework to combat environmental degradation and illegal mining practices.
The helicopter crash and the resulting shift in mining enforcement strategy mark a volatile period for the Ghanaian government, as it balances national security concerns with growing pressure to strengthen local governance and protect natural resources.
