Kwahu Afram Plains MP Recounts Experience Flying in Z-9 Helicopter a Week Before Its Crash in Obuasi
- The Kwahu Afram Plains constituency MP has reacted to the devastating helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight people
- In an interview, Kpeli Worlase recounted a recent unsettling experience he had flying in the helicopter involved in the tragedy
- The Kwahu Afram Plains MP also raised questions about the maintenance culture in Ghana and the need to prioritise safety
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The Member of Parliament for the Kwahu Afram Plains constituency, Kpeli Worlase, has shared his experience from flying in the Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter that crashed and killed eight people on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Source: Facebook
In an interview with Accra-based broadcast station Mothers TV on Thursday, August 7, 2025, the MP shared that he was on board the same helicopter about a week and a half before the fatal crash.
He noted that he was concerned throughout his journey in the helicopter, especially after hearing the sound of the engine when it took off from Burma Camp in Accra.
The Kwahu Afram Plains stated that the helicopter also produced excessive vibrations, which raised serious safety concerns.
He said:
"It was about one and a half weeks ago. It was the same helicopter, the Z-9. Let me be very realistic here, I was really concerned when the helicopter took off from Burma Camp. I was concerned because of the sound I was hearing from the engine."
"Anyone who has flown in a helicopter will know whether the engine is new, serviced or unserviced when they listen to its sound. In my personal view, I was not hearing the right sound. The engine did not sound well."
"You could feel a lot of vibration from it. We know helicopters produce vibrations, but this one exceeded expectations, for you to know that there was something wrong somewhere."
Kpeli Worlase noted that he failed to report his concerns about the Ghana Armed Forces' Z-9 helicopter since he flew with expert engineers and the Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga.
The Kwahu Afram Plains MP also recounted the previous concerns the late Defence Minister, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, raised about the current state of the Ghana Armed Forces' aircraft while speaking on the floor of parliament a few months ago.
The video of the Kwahu Afram Plains MP recounting his experience from flying in the Z-9 helicopter before its crash is below:
Obuasi helicopter crash claims eight lives
The Ghana Armed Forces' Z-9 helicopter was involved in a crash that claimed eight lives at the Sikaman Forest in the Adansi South District near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Source: UGC
Among the victims were two cabinet ministers, Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
Other top political officials, including the Deputy National Security Coordinator, Limuna Muniru, a Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Samuel Sarpong, and the Deputy Director General in Charge of Relief and Protocol at NADMO, Samuel Aboagye, also died in the crash.
Three military officers, Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, and Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, were also victims of the unfortunate helicopter crash.
The eight individuals were attending the official launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) in Obuasi before they perished in the accident.
President John Dramani Mahama declared three days of mourning for the victims and held a wreath-laying service to honour their memories on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
Samples of the remains of the helicopter crash victims were also flown to South Africa for DNA analysis on August 7, 2025.
GAF helicopter's black box found after crash
In another story reported by YEN.com.gh, the Ghana Armed Forces' Z-9 helicopter's black box was found a day after the deadly crash in the forest near Obuasi.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, shared the news on social media following the Ghana Armed Forces personnel's visit to the crash site.
He also shared more details about the tragic helicopter crash that occurred on August 6, 2025, and the activities planned to honour the memory of the eight victims.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
