Renowned security analyst and retired military officer, Colonel Festus Aboagye, has cautioned against the spread of disinformation, misinformation, and conspiracy theories regarding the recent military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives.
Speaking with a deep sense of concern, Colonel Aboagye stressed that at this stage, no one knows the exact cause of the accident, and it would be premature and irresponsible to peddle unfounded claims.
“I don’t want to go into the area of galamsey and so on, but you and I, all of us, would be aware of the quantum of disinformation, misinformation, and conspiracy theories. The fact is that, as of now, we don’t know what the cause of the crash was, or what the causes were.
“We know the manner of the accident—that it crashed. So until we have definitive evidence as to what brought the aircraft down, I think all of us, in good decency, must stop spreading all manner of disinformation, misinformation.”
Colonel Festus Aboagye
Colonel Aboagye’s remarks come at a time when public discussion about the tragic event has been punctuated by speculative theories. He insisted that, for the sake of the victims’ dignity and the country’s national security, both citizens and leaders should exercise restraint until official investigations provide concrete answers.
Disapproval over Handling of Victims
Beyond the cause of the crash, Colonel Aboagye also expressed strong disapproval over the manner in which the remains of the victims were reportedly handled.
He argued that those who had given their lives in service to the nation deserved better treatment, describing the use of cocoa sacks for transporting the remains as deeply undignified.
“I mean, assuming that they were in the sacks and they were covered with polythene, that would even have been fine. But if you live this life with all the service that you are doing to your nation, and you are carried in cocoa sacks… Is that how we treat the gone? Those who are leaving us?”
Colonel Festus Aboagye
The retired officer painted a vivid picture of the emotional toll such handling could have on the families left behind.
“If any of us can imagine that before those pictures were taken off the screen, one of the children of these eight saw their father being carried in a cocoa sack, how would that child feel? It’s like you have wasted your time serving your country” .
Colonel Festus Aboagye
The crash, which occurred as the aircraft was en route to Obuasi for an official programme, has plunged the nation into mourning. The victims, including prominent public officials and gallant members of the Ghana Air Force, have been eulogised for their service, sacrifice, and dedication to Ghana.
Calls for Restraint in Public Commentary
Joining the call for restraint, social activist Osagyefo Mawuse Oliver Barker-Vormawor also underscored the need for a measured and fact-based approach to understanding the tragedy. He cautioned against allowing speculation to overshadow the process of uncovering the truth.
“Investigating the causes of the accident and determining how, as a society, we move forward must not be left to speculation and half-baked theory propounders. This is not the time for emotive grandstanding. We need rigour.”
Osagyefo Mawuse Oliver Barker-Vormawor
Both men’s interventions highlight a broader concern about how Ghana manages national tragedies—balancing the public’s demand for information with the need to protect the dignity of victims and the integrity of investigations.
Colonel Aboagye’s military background lends weight to his warning, drawing attention to the importance of disciplined communication in times of crisis.
His emphasis on dignity also reflects a moral obligation that goes beyond the current incident, pointing to the respect owed to all who serve the country, whether in the armed forces or in public office.
The suggestion to use more appropriate materials for transporting remains, while seemingly small, underscores the symbolic weight of how a nation honours its fallen.
As official investigations into the crash continue, the voices of Colonel Aboagye and Barker-Vormawor add to growing calls for unity, discipline, and empathy. They remind the public that in moments of collective grief, words matter, images matter, and the truth matters most of all.
They emphasised that until the facts are established, speculation serves no one, least of all the memories of those who have paid the ultimate price in service to Ghana
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