Helicopter Crash: Farmers Upset As Investigations In Forest Keep Them From Their Farms
- Some farmers are complaining about disruptions from the probe into the army helicopter crash on August 6
- The helicopter crash killed eight people, including the Minister of Defence Edward Omane Boamah
- The Ghana Armed Forces had launched an official probe into the crash and cordoned off some farm areas
Some farmers are complaining of starvation because the investigations into the August 6 helicopter crash have denied them access to their farms in Adansi Akrofuom.
Joy News reported that some farmlands have been cordoned off to allow for the investigations.
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"Now we buy food from the street shops. Rice, gari, among others, are what we buy. If they allow us into the farms, we will be able to harvest our foodstuff," one of the residents said on August 8.
MP for Akrofrom, Joseph Azumah, urged residents to cooperate with investigations into the crash.
During a speech on August 7, President John Mahama announced that the Ghana Armed Forces had launched an official probe into the crash that killed two ministers and six others.
He said an Investigative Board of Inquiry had also been established to determine the cause of the incident.
In comments to YEN.com.gh, the Executive Director at the Bureau of Public Safety, Nana Yaw Akwada, called for a strict timeline for the probe.
"A preliminary public report be issued within 30 days, followed by regular updates on the progress of the investigation. The leadership and composition of the investigation team be clearly communicated to the public."
An eyewitness at the helicopter crash site claimed the helicopter lost its balance after hitting a tree and a mountain before going down in flames in the thick forest in Adansi Akrofum.
Another eyewitness told the BBC the helicopter was flying at an 'unusually low altitude' and that the weather was bad. He said he heard the sound of the helicopter passing by, followed by a loud bang.
Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were the ministers killed in the crash at Adansi Akrofuom.
The Z-9 helicopter they were travelling in crashed into dense forest as it was flying from the capital, Accra, to the town of Obuasi for a state event.
Who else died in Obuasi helicopter crash?
The four other civilians who died in the crash were identified as Deputy National Security Coordinator Limuna Muniru, former Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Samuel Sarpong, and former Parliamentary Candidate for Obuasi East Samuel Aboagye.
The army personnel who died in the crash were identified as Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Their bodies were retrieved and flown to Accra late on August 6. Samples of the remains of the dead have been South Africa for DNA analysis to aid in their identification.
Mahama replaces ministers killed in helicopter tragedy
YEN.com.gh reported that Mahama appointed Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to serve as acting Defence Minister, while Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah will oversee Environment, Science and Technology temporarily.
The presidency, in a statement on August 7, said the respective Finance and Lands and Natural Resources Ministers had been asked to take on these additional duties, with no timeline given for the filling of the two posts.
Source: YEN.com.gh
