A retired Air Force officer, Wing Commander Patrick Nelson Sogbodjor, has kindly urged Ghanaians to remain calm and to avoid speculation while the investigations into the recent helicopter crash, which tragically claimed eight lives, including two cabinet ministers, are ongoing.
Mr. Sogbodjor emphasized the importance of patience during this difficult time as we await the official findings from the investigation.
His comments follow an announcement from the Ghana Armed Forces regarding the examination reports they are expecting from experts and the aircraft manufacturer concerning the black box.
In a recent interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, August 13, Mr. Sogbodjor noted, “This process cannot be expedited; it requires thorough analysis by the manufacturers to ensure accurate decoding. I encourage everyone to remain patient until the results are made public.”
He highlighted a comparable helicopter crash in the United States, where the investigation results were not released until two months after the incident.
Addressing public inquiries concerning the dispatch of another helicopter to the crash site, he stated, “It is essential to consider the potential contributions of additional resources in this context.”
The crash resulted in the unfortunate loss of Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation; former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye; National Democratic Congress (NDC) Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong; and Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator. Additionally, three crew members — Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah — also lost their lives in this tragedy.
A state funeral for the victims is scheduled for Friday, August 15, 2025, at Black Star Square in Accra.
About The Author
