Bombande calls for depoliticized approach to security resourcing

Security and peacebuilding expert Emmanuel Bombande has urged Ghanaians and political leaders to refrain from politicising the resourcing of the country’s security agencies. He warned that partisan interference undermines their ability to function during crises.

Speaking on The Key Points on TV3, Saturday, August 16, and monitored by Today.com.gh, Mr. Bombande linked the recent military helicopter crash, which claimed eight lives, to broader questions of how the state prepares and equips its security institutions.

“We need some sensitisation to help ordinary people understand the role of security agencies and their responsibilities in rescue missions,” he said, after expressing concern about how civilians interfered with emergency efforts at the crash site.

He cautioned that reducing partisan politics in security matters was vital for national safety. “The politicisation of the issues will have to be reduced,” he warned, “because if the military is not able to function, it doesn’t matter your political affiliation, you will suffer.” He added: “All of us agreed on how partisan politics is not helping us.”

Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, echoed these concerns, noting that the rapid growth of the aviation sector increases the likelihood of more aircraft incidents. “A military aircraft crash should prompt systemic reflection,” he argued. “We have to learn a lesson and make sure this does not happen. Unfortunately, it will happen again when you have more expansion in the area, so we must prepare and ensure that we do better going forward.”

Retired security expert Col. Festus Aboagye also provided technical insight, explaining that aircraft are only declared under distress after 60 minutes of losing radar contact, not immediately. “When a plane goes off radar, it doesn’t mean it encountered an accident or is under stress,” he clarified.

The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed on August 6 that an Airforce Z9 helicopter en route from Accra to Obuasi had crashed at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region. The victims included Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and five others. A three-day national mourning period was declared, with the final funeral held on August 15.