It was wrong for the remains of the helicopter crash victims to have been carried in sacks, President, Ghana Academy of Forensic Sciences, Dr Pet-Paul Wepeba, has said.
He makes the point that carrying them in sacks compromised the forensic evidence to identify the bodies.
“Carrying the remains in sacks was not good; you are compromising with the forensic evidence that is going to identify them, and you are going to make the identification difficult. I am not surprised that they are going to do the DNA in South Africa,” he said in the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, August 9.
Dr Pet-Paul Wepeba further said that the helicopter accident scene should have been declared a no-go area.
He says this would have prevented evidence from being tampered with.
“The scene should have been cordoned off so that evidence to aid in investigations would be preserved. The return of the wreckage to the investigators will be of great assistance,” he said.
He further called for national education on responses to national emergencies.
“National education on this stop stops people from moving into these areas and rather causes more harm than good. The way they carried the remains was problematic,” in the sacks, he said.
President John Dramani Mahama earlier cautioned in relation to the fatal crash of the military helicopter that killed Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and others, that this is not a time for division, speculation, or political point-scoring.
President Mahama stated that it is a time for strength, empathy, and the enduring Ghanaian spirit that stands tall even when all else has failed.
Addressing the nation on Thursday, August 7, he said:
“Let us set aside our differences and offer our collective compassion to the bereaved families. This is not a time for division, speculation, or political point-scoring. It is a time for strength, for empathy, and for the enduring Ghanaian spirit that still stands tall when all else has failed. Let our words be of comfort, our actions be of kindness, and our unity be the tribute we offer to those whose lives have been lost. To the families, to the Ghana Armed Forces, to the ministries and departments that have lost dedicated staff, and to the National Democratic Congress, which mourns the passing of valued members, may you find strength in their memory and their legacy.”
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, announced on Wednesday, August 6, that Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah was among those who died in the crash. Also on board were Minister for Environment Murtala Mohammed, former Ashanti Regional Minister Samuel Sarpong, Muniru Mohammed (Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator), and Samuel Aboagye, a former Member of Parliament and Vice Chairman of the NDC.
The crew members were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mane-Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) confirmed in a statement that the helicopter, which took off from Accra and was headed to Obuasi, went off the radar before crashing on Wednesday, August 6.
Eyewitnesses told Onua TV that the aircraft burned beyond recognition.
