Forensic Security Analyst, Dr. Lawrence Kofi Acheampong, has called for a comprehensive forensic investigation into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region, which claimed the lives of eight people, including two government ministers.
His remarks come as the government confirmed that the remains of the victims have been flown to South Africa for advanced DNA analysis due to the severe condition of the bodies.
Speaking on the matter, Dr. Acheampong stressed that the scope of the investigation should not be limited to basic victim identification.
“Looking at the people involved and the resources required, this is something that is at the heart of all Ghanaians. We must conduct a forensic audit of the disaster, which goes far beyond DNA testing”
Dr. Lawrence Kofi Acheampong, Forensic Security Analyst
He explained that a thorough probe would require the involvement of multiple specialists, including fire forensic experts, forensic pathologists, chemical pathologists, toxicologists, and forensic engineers, to uncover the technical, environmental, and human factors behind the crash.
“When we talk about forensic, we are not only talking about DNA; we need to go deeper. We must determine what went wrong with the flight before the tragic event happened,” he added, noting that even what may appear to be a straightforward disaster could have complex underlying causes.
The 37 Military Hospital in Accra was initially expected to undertake the identification process. However, the government indicated that the unique complexities of the case required more specialised procedures, prompting the decision to transport the remains abroad for analysis.
Black Box Recovery
In a related development, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, confirmed the recovery of the black box from the Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter that crashed on Wednesday, August 6.
Announcing the breakthrough in a Facebook post on Thursday, August 7, Dr. Amoakohene said a team of investigators successfully located the black box at the crash site, describing it as a vital step toward determining the cause of the disaster.
The recovery mission involved officers from the Ghana Air Force and other military units, aided by local residents and the Assembly Member for the area, who guided the team through the dense forest to the remote crash site.
Initial reports indicate that the helicopter was en route to Obuasi when it went off radar, prompting a swift search and rescue operation by military and local authorities. The recovered black box is expected to contain crucial flight data that will, alongside findings from the forensic analysis, help investigators reconstruct the events that led to the tragedy.
The Ministry of Defence clarified that the samples from remains of all eight victims sent to South Africa, are to aid in identification through DNA profiling. Officials maintain that this is necessary due to the extensive damage to the bodies, which made local identification procedures insufficient.
The Ministry noted that this step is part of broader efforts to ensure that every aspect of the crash is thoroughly investigated and that the families of the deceased receive accurate information about the cause of the disaster and the identity of their loved ones.
The government has pledged full transparency in the investigation, assuring the public that no effort will be spared in uncovering the truth. Dr. Acheampong’s call for an expanded forensic approach has resonated with many, as the nation grapples with the loss of two senior ministers and several other prominent figures in one of its most devastating aviation accidents.
As the black box undergoes examination and forensic experts in South Africa work on the DNA analysis, Ghanaians await concrete answers that could bring closure to grieving families and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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