 Paul Forjoe, a member of the committee that probed the August 6 crash , has revealed that the military helicopter crash){kind=link}
Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe, a member of the committee that probed the August 6 crash , has revealed that the military helicopter crash was caused by a sudden altitude change.
According to the investigative committee, the tragedy was caused by a sudden loss of altitude and lift resulting from a powerful downdraft.
Speaking during the presentation of the findings at a public briefing on Tuesday, November 11, Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe detailed, “The investigation determined that the accident was caused by the sudden loss of altitude and lift due to downdraft.
“This loss of altitude without a change in power or pitch altitude is consistent with a downdraft associated with changing environmental conditions over high terrain,” Captain Forjoe stated.
Also, Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe noted that the Helicopter crash response was timely despite the difficult terrain.
“The fact that these first responders managed to get to the site in about two hours was remarkable because the terrain has very steep slopes,” he said.
“It was raining, it was slippery, so it wasn’t the easiest thing to do… we can confidently say the emergency response was very timely.”
Additionally, he revealed that the military helicopter was airworthy but lacked key safety equipment.
“The aircraft was declared serviceable and signed off by the pilot, who was fully competent to operate it,” Captain Forjoe added.
The revelation comes following Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the acting Minister for Defence, who has presented the findings of the investigative committee on the helicopter crash on August 6 to President John Dramani Mahama.
The report was presented during a National Security Council meeting on Monday, November 10, 2025.
President John Mahama, in a post on X, stated, “The Acting Minister for Defence has presented the findings of the investigative committee on the helicopter crash on August 6. The report, which was presented at a National Security Council meeting, will be made public on Tuesday.
May the souls of our eight compatriots continue to rest in peace”.
Dr Omane Boamah and Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, two cabinet members, passed away following a helicopter crash at Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6.
The helicopter was carrying eight individuals, including three crew members and five passengers, among them the ministers, a presidential staffer identified as Samuel Sarpong, and the ministers’ security detail.
Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, and Samuel Aboagye, a former Parliamentary Candidate, and Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of NDC, have all been confirmed dead.
The crew members are Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The victims lost their lives en route to the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) in Obuasi on August 6, 2025.