Former Member of Parliament for Assin Central and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has called on Ghanaians to unite in acquiring new presidential and airforce aircraft, stressing that safety should take precedence if existing aircraft are deemed unfit for purpose.
Agyapong’s remarks came during the final burial service held for the eight government officials who tragically lost their lives in the recent helicopter crash in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region. The deceased were state officials whose deaths have sparked national mourning.
Speaking at the solemn event, Agyapong reflected on the irreplaceable loss to the nation, emphasizing that no financial compensation could substitute the lives lost.
“Not everything requires money to be solved, sometimes money matters, so if we’re doing it with money they should make sure understanding works,” he said.
He further stressed the critical importance of securing reliable aircraft for official use, noting that the cost of such equipment pales in comparison to the value of human lives.
“If you look at the eight people that have lost their lives, no amount of money can pay for it. So, the aircraft whether presidential or airforce if something is not good, we should all come together and make sure we get the best aircraft,” Agyapong emphasized.
The former MP highlighted the economic benefits of safe travel for the nation’s leadership. He pointed to the potential facilitation of international loans to support Ghana’s development, citing an example where the President could secure a $500 million loan for national progress.
“How much does a plane cost? But if he goes and hires planes, Ghanaians will start saying ‘we are hungry.’ So we should take what has happened as a lesson,” he urged.
Agyapong also appealed to politicians to set aside fears and reservations about spending on national assets that serve the public good.
“The fear in them, if they are going to buy something to work for the nation, should go away,” he concluded.
Background:
On August 6, 2025, a tragic helicopter crash occurred in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, claiming the lives of eight government officials.
The Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 military helicopter was en route from Kotoka International Airport in Accra to an event aimed at combating illegal mining in the Obuasi area when it suddenly disappeared from radar.
The wreckage was found in a forested mountainside in Adansi Amrofuom District, with all passengers perishing in a post-crash fire.
Among the deceased were key figures including the Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, as well as other prominent officials and military personnel.
The crash was one of Ghana’s deadliest air disasters in over a decade, prompting nationwide sorrow and a three-day mourning period declared by the government.
This incident has intensified discussions on the safety and adequacy of Ghana’s presidential and military aircraft, including calls from political figures like Kennedy Agyapong for urgent procurement of safer planes to prevent future tragedies.
The Ghana Armed Forces announced that both the flight data and cockpit voice recorders (commonly known as “black boxes”) were recovered from the wreckage. These key instruments are being analyzed to help determine the cause of the crash.
To aid the investigation and ensure its credibility, the Ghanaian government has requested assistance from forensic experts in the United States. This move, directed by President John Mahama, aims to facilitate an independent and thorough probe that aligns with international best practices.
American experts are expected to support Ghanaian authorities in uncovering the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
