The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has cautioned the public, especially media houses, commentators, bloggers, and content creators, to be prudent in their commentary and discussions on the August 6 Adansi Air Force Z-9 helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, which claimed the lives of all eight personnel on board.

The Defence Forces issued this caution in a statement shared by Acting Director General of Public Relations, Captain VA Arhin, expressing concerns over the speculations' tendency to deepen the pain of the bereaved families. They admonished that rightful discussions about the crash will go a long way in showing some respect to the memories of the fallen heroes.

"The attention of the Ghana Armed Forces has been drawn to many speculative and unsubstantiated commentaries regarding the recent Air Force Z-9 Helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, which claimed all 8 lives on board. For the sake of the bereaved families and loved ones, the Armed Forces urges media practitioners, panellists, social commentators, bloggers and content creators to be circumspect in their reportage as a way of showing respect to the memories of the fallen heroes and to mitigate the sorrows of the bereaved families" the statement noted.

They continued acknowledging the public's interest in the crash assuring that, thorough investigations are currently underway to unravel the cause of death and bring "closure to the incident".

In doing the investigations, GAF added that it will exhaust every means, including collaborating with international bodies.

"The Armed Forces wishes to acknowledge the immense public interest in the accident, assuring that painstaking investigations have begun to unravel the cause of the crash. The Armed Forces will do everything possible, including collaborating with international agencies, to bring closure to the incident.

"At this point, any purported conclusions based on opinions, perceptions and conjectures will be premature and misleading. The public is therefore advised to be wary of such reportage," the statement continued.

The Armed Forces thanked the government, institutions, and individuals for their support so far since the crash and extended its condolences to the families of the service members who lost their lives, describing them as patriots whose sacrifices will be remembered.

“May the souls of our patriots continue to rest in peace,” the statement concluded.

Background of August 6 disasterThe Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) earlier reported that its air force helicopter Z9, which took off on August 6th morning at 0912 hrs from Accra and headed for Obuasi, was off the radar.

Hours later, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, confirmed the unfortunate demise of the 8 individuals comprising three crew and five passengers.

The deceased are Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General of NADMO; Squadron Leader Peter Anala of the Ghana Air Force; Flying Officer Tsum Ampadu of the Ghana Air Force; and Sergeant Ernest Addo of the Ghana Air Force.

As part of the 3-day national mourning, the "Evening of Reflections and Memorials" took place at the Forecourt of the State House on Saturday, August 9. The event was open to all Ghanaians, including the general public, friends, and family of the departed.

On the first day of mourning, which began Thursday, August 7, a public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency took place to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash. Members of the public, families, and friends were present. President John Dramani Mahama and the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, shed tears while laying a wreath in honour of the eight victims.

The public laying of flowers and lighting of candles at the Ceremonial Garden at the front of the Presidency to honour victims of the tragic GAF helicopter crash continued on August 8. It was held at the Ceremonial Garden, the Presidency. This provided more time and space for citizens unable to attend Day 1 to pay their respects and join the national act of mourning.

Last week, the samples of the remains of the deceased involved in the tragic Ghana Armed Forces helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region on August 6 were transported to South Africa for DNA analysis to aid in their identification.

Per reports, the autopsy and identification procedures were to have been carried out by the 37 Military Hospital; however, the conditions of the bodies have called for advanced forensic processes.

Recent development

Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Alhaji Dr. Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna—two out of the eight who perished in the August 6 helicopter crash—have been buried in accordance with Islamic Tradition, Custom and Practices.

They were buried following the arrival of the DNA results on Saturday, August 9

On Sunday, August 10, Muslim Jannaza prayers were offered at the forecourt of State House. Following that, the deceased were buried at the Military Cemetery, Accra. The Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, led the prayers.

President John Dramani Mahama and Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin attended the prayers, which were also attended by Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, religious leaders, and institutional heads, among many other Ghanaians.

At the burial site, President Mahama used the opportunity to thank all who were present and showed their sympathy to the family and country as a whole. He also expressed gratitude to the family for their patience in ensuring the DNA tests are carried out to aid the identification of the two deceased.

“Today is not a day for talking; I want to thank you for your sympathy. I want to thank the two families for their patience. I want to thank the family for accepting my decision for the two brothers to be buried here. The families are free to visit anytime they want to do so,” he added.

Meanwhile, books of condolence were opened simultaneously on Sunday, August 10, at the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters, the National Democratic Congress headquarters, and the head office of NADMO. The books will be open until Thursday, 14th August 2025.

On Friday, 15th August, an inter-denominational state funeral will be held for the remaining six individuals who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident.

Minister for Health Minister Akandoh and the Inspector General of Police, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, on Sunday, August 10, received the DNA results for the remaining six deceased in the August 6 helicopter crash.

They received the results at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA). Engaging the media, the Health Minister noted that the results have been received earlier due to the expedited efforts put in by the government.

The Funeral Planning Committee has encouraged members of the public to send messages of condolences and heartfelt tributes for inclusion in the official brochure. Tributes are to be sent to the email tributes@presidency.gov.gh. Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, August 13 at 12:00 PM (noon) GMT.