By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has paid a courtesy call on the Military High Command at the Office of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) at Burma Camp, Accra, to commiserate with the Ghana Armed Forces following last week’s fatal helicopter crash that claimed the lives of three officers.
Led by GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, the delegation included the Vice President, national executives, and senior members of the Association.
The visit comes as Ghana continues to grapple with grief and unanswered questions following the 6 August 2025 crash, which claimed the lives of two Cabinet ministers and six others. In the aftermath, the GJA urged the Ghana Armed Forces to lead with open, factual, and timely communication to reduce speculation and misinformation.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Dwumfour described the day of the crash as a “Black Wednesday” for the nation, noting that the visit fell exactly one week after the tragedy. The GJA President further revealed that the Association had publicly cautioned journalists to be circumspect and avoid inflammatory commentary during this sensitive period.
He, however, expressed concern over a recent incident in which a journalist was allegedly assaulted by military personnel, warning that such actions undermine press freedom and public trust.
“We have encouraged our members to remain professional, but at the same time, we cannot ignore incidents where journalists are attacked. If civilians had been involved in such a tragedy, there would have been immediate calls for arrest and prosecution. The public must be equally informed about internal findings and any disciplinary actions in this matter,” Mr. Dwumfour said.
The Chief of the Defence Staff, Major General William Agyapong, expressed gratitude for the GJA’s solidarity, revealing that the rescue operation achieved a record response time despite adverse conditions.
“We did everything possible under very challenging circumstances. Our team had to improvise with available materials to preserve the remains before transporting them to Accra within ten hours. It was a record response, given the weather and terrain,” he explained.
On disciplinary matters, the CDS assured that the Armed Forces investigates all incidents thoroughly and holds responsible parties accountable, but emphasised that the recent tragedy remains under active investigation.
The engagement concluded with the GJA delegation signing the official book of condolence in honour of the fallen officers.
