Cash reward for return of stolen helicopter crash debris

The Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council (ARCC) is appealing to residents of the Adansi area to return all items taken from the site of the August 6 military helicopter crash, which claimed the lives of eight people, including two cabinet ministers.

According to intelligence gathered by the Council, some individuals who were among the first to arrive at the crash scene in the Adansi Akrofuom District removed parts of the helicopter and other personal effects belonging to the victims.

In a statement issued on Saturday, August 9, the ARCC urged that all such items — no matter how small — including metals, screws, circuit boards, drives, and any parts from the aircraft, be immediately returned. Items can be handed over to Unit Committees, Assembly Members, Municipal or District Chief Executives, or members of the investigative team stationed at the crash site.

To encourage compliance, the ARCC announced a cash reward for individuals who voluntarily return items before the close of day on Monday, August 11, 2025. The Council stressed that anyone found in possession of such items after the deadline will be deemed a criminal and face prosecution.

“The ARCC is willing to offer a cash reward for any person who willingly returns any item. This offer will be in place until the close of day, Monday, 11 August 2025. Any person found in possession of such items beyond the above date would be deemed a criminal and would face the full rigours of the law,” the statement warned.

The August 6 crash, one of the deadliest in recent Ghanaian history, occurred while the helicopter was on an official assignment. The victims included Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

The government has since declared a three-day national mourning period from Thursday, August 7. An inter-denominational state funeral is scheduled for Friday, August 15, at the Black Star Square in Accra. A solemn flower-laying ceremony has already been held in honour of the deceased.