International experts join probe into Ashanti region helicopter crash

International aviation experts have joined investigations into the Ashanti region helicopter crash that killed eight people, including two senior ministers.

A team of international aviation experts has joined Ghanaian authorities in probing the Ashanti helicopter crash, which claimed the lives of eight individuals, among them Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.

According to officials, the involvement of the foreign team is expected to bring independence, credibility, and technical expertise to the Ashanti helicopter crash investigation.

Confirming the development at a press briefing in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, said the arrival of the team marks a crucial step in unraveling the circumstances surrounding the Ashanti helicopter crash. He stressed that their role is to ensure the process remains thorough, transparent, and internationally recognized.

The fatal incident occurred on August 6 in the Dampia Range Forest Reserve near Brofoyedru-Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofrom District. The Ashanti helicopter crash resulted in the deaths of two high-ranking government officials, six military officers and aides, sending shockwaves across the country. It has since become the subject of intense public concern and national mourning.

Dr. Amoakohene revealed that the international investigators were drawn from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The experts, he said, specialize in military aviation accident reconstruction, flight safety assessment, and black box data analysis—skills that are critical for uncovering the causes of the Ashanti helicopter crash.

“The presence of these international experts underscores Ghana’s commitment to uncovering the truth about the Ashanti helicopter crash and preventing future tragedies,” Dr. Amoakohene noted. “They will work hand in hand with our local agencies, assessing flight data, examining wreckage, and interviewing eyewitnesses.”

Preliminary accounts indicate that the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control moments before going down during what officials described as a routine security oversight mission. While the cause of the crash remains unknown, investigators say their priority is to establish whether technical failure, human error, or external factors contributed.

Security in the Dampia Range Forest Reserve has been tightened, with the area cordoned off to prevent interference with the Ashanti helicopter crash investigation. Debris from the wreckage has been secured for detailed examination.

The government has assured Ghanaians that findings from the probe will be made public, reaffirming its commitment to accountability, safety, and justice for the victims of the Ashanti helicopter crash.