By Adotie Mensah
The charred remains of Ghana’s Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, Environment Minister, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, and six other individuals who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash have been recovered and removed from the crash site. The devastating incident, which occurred in a remote forested area, sent shockwaves across the nation and prompted an immediate investigation by aviation and military authorities.
Search and rescue teams, including personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, emergency services, and local volunteers, worked tirelessly to locate the wreckage, which was found severely burned and almost unrecognizable. The crash, believed to have been caused by adverse weather conditions or a possible mechanical fault, left no survivors.
According to military sources, the helicopter was on an official assignment when it lost contact with air traffic control and vanished from radar. After hours of coordinated aerial and ground search operations, the burnt remains of the aircraft and its occupants were discovered in the early hours of Thursday.
Emergency responders carefully retrieved what was left of the victims’ bodies, which were badly burnt and disfigured due to the intensity of the explosion and post-impact fire. The remains have since been transported to the 37 Military Hospital morgue in Accra for forensic identification and autopsy.
President Nana Akufo-Addo declared a period of national mourning and expressed profound sorrow over the loss of “two of the nation’s most dedicated public servants” and the other victims, who were members of the flight crew and aides. Flags are to fly at half-mast across the country in their honour.
“This is a dark day in Ghana’s history. We have lost patriots who gave everything in service to this country. We mourn deeply with their families and pray for strength in this painful time,” the president stated.
Tributes have poured in from political leaders, foreign governments, and citizens alike, with many describing the ministers as “selfless, courageous, and visionary.” Candlelight vigils and memorials are being planned across the country to honour their memory.
The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, in collaboration with international aviation experts, has launched a thorough investigation into the crash. Preliminary reports indicate that the chopper may have encountered severe turbulence or suffered a technical malfunction mid-air.
As the nation grieves, there is growing demand for improved safety protocols for government officials and better maintenance standards for state-owned aircraft. The tragic loss has left a gaping hole in Ghana’s political and administrative leadership and will be felt for years to come.
