Felix Cofie
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has issued a heartfelt appeal to media outlets following the tragic Z-9 military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region that claimed the lives of eight people, including key government officials.
In a press release from the Department of Public Relations at Burma Camp, the military expressed deep concern over the speculative and unverified commentary circulating in the public domain. The statement urges journalists, bloggers, panelists, and content creators to exercise caution and restraint in their coverage “for the sake of the bereaved families and loved ones.”
The GAF reaffirmed that a painstaking investigation is already underway, with support from international agencies, to determine the cause of the crash. The military warned that any conclusions drawn prematurely or based merely on opinions and conjecture could mislead the public and hinder the search for truth.
The crash on 6 August 2025 occurred as the Harbin Z-9 helicopter flew from Accra to Obuasi on an official mission focused on fighting illegal mining (“galamsey”). Notable among the victims were:
• Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence
• Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology
• Limuna Mohammed Muniru, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
• Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice Chairman
• Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate
• Plus three Ghana Air Force crew members.
In the wake of this “national tragedy,” President John Dramani Mahama declared three days of national mourning, ordering flags to fly at half-mast.
Media entities have also responded with restraint and dignity:
• The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) expressed devastation and extended condolences to the families and the nation. The GJA specifically condemned the sharing of graphic images from the crash and urged adherence to ethical standards.
• GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour later reaffirmed the importance of “sensitivity and respect” in ongoing coverage, urging media to preserve the dignity of the fallen.
As the investigation unfolds, the Ghana Armed Forces’ message is unequivocal:
• Avoid speculation. Refrain from attributing causes without verified facts.
• Show empathy. Remember the emotional toll on grieving families and the nation.
• Wait for official findings. Let the investigators from both Ghana and collaborating international bodies do their work without interference.
As Ghana mourns this heartbreaking loss, the call from its military leadership and journalistic community is clear: let respect and responsibility guide public discourse. Premature conclusions and sensationalism threaten not just truth but the healing process
