A retired Ghana Air Force Officer, Wing Commander Patrick Nelson Sogbodjor, has appealed to the public to exercise patience regarding the report on the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash.
The retired officer says investigations into helicopter crashes are more complex and time-consuming compared to those involving vehicles, which can be completed relatively quickly.
Wing Commander Sogbodjor’s (Rtd.) comments come on the back of a letter from Alhaji Habib Iddrisu, First Deputy Minority Whip in Parliament, to President John Dramani Mahama, requesting the public release of the report on the helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including two Ministers.
In a telephone interview on TV3’s Ghana Tonight on Monday, October 27, 2025, Mr. Sogbodjor urged the public not to expect a quick turnaround on the investigation report since it takes some time more than expected.
“Aircraft investigations is not like a vehicle crash. It’s very elaborate. I’ll just ask compatriots and the country to be patient. I heard about the question the parliamentarian raised. Please don’t let us bring in timelines,” he stated, emphasising the complexity of aviation accident probes.
“It is virtually impossible for someone to put timelines into aircraft craft investigations. Let the search and rescue and board come out with findings. There are a lot of things you have to look at before they deduce what happened and if they haven’t come to the conclusion, they cannot just come out and say we have done A, B or C,” he added.
Habib Iddrisu, also the Member of Parliament for Tolon, has formally written to President Mahama requesting information on the findings of the committee established to investigate the crash of the Z9 helicopter crash.
In a letter dated Monday, October 27, 2025, addressed to the President, Mr Iddrisu invoked Article 21(1)(f) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 18 of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) to request a copy of the investigative report or an update on the matter.
“The nation mourned together following this profound loss, recalling that on August 25, 2025, a committee of inquiry was set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, with a promise that the findings would be shared within thirty days.
“In light of the time that has passed and the significant public interest in this matter, I respectfully request a copy of the investigative report or update,” he wrote.
He said that the public deserves to know what led to the deaths of “such prominent figures and dedicated public servants,” urging the Presidency to release the full and final report from the investigative committee or provide an interim update if the process is still ongoing.
“If the complete report is not yet available, I would appreciate it if you could release a partial or interim report. This would not only keep the public informed but also reflect the government’s commitment to transparency during this difficult time,” he added.
The August 6, 2025 incident that occurred near Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti region led to the deaths of several senior government officials and military officers, including:
Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah – Minister of Defence
Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed – Minister of Environment
Alhaji Muniru Mohammed – Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
Dr. Samuel Sarpong – Vice Chairman, NDC
Samuel Aboagye – Former Parliamentary Candidate
Squadron Leader Peter Bafimi Anala, Sergeant Ernest Addo, all military officers, and Flying Officer Twum Ampadu.
Helicopter Crash: Sabotage is possible but must be proven – Festus Aboagye
