The Government of Ghana has formally requested the assistance of American aviation experts to help analyse the black box recovered from the military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives last week.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed that President John Dramani Mahama instructed officials to invite independent US specialists to ensure the investigation is transparent, credible, and free from any suspicion of bias.
“On the instruction of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, we have formally requested the Americans to come in and assist,” Ablakwa said. “They have responded positively, and we are expecting their arrival soon to support the investigation.”
Ensuring Independence and Transparency
According to Ablakwa, the government’s priority is to guarantee that the investigative process meets international gold standards and inspires public confidence.
He stressed that there is nothing to hide, and having experts “far removed from the process” would eliminate any perception of a cover-up.
“In the President’s wisdom, he does not want anything to proceed without independent experts. This way, we avoid all doubts, potential conflicts of interest, or concerns that people with special interests may interfere,” Ablakwa explained.
Chinese Manufacturers Also on Standby
The Minister revealed that Ghana has also reached out to the Chinese manufacturers of the Z9 helicopter, who are prepared to assist in accordance with standing protocols that require the black box to be made available to them.
However, the President has made it clear that no further steps will be taken until the US experts arrive to provide impartial oversight.
Commitment to Public Updates
Ablakwa assured Ghanaians that the government would keep the public informed at every stage of the process — from the arrival of the experts to the start, progress, and conclusion of the investigation.
He acknowledged concerns from civil society groups and analysts about the lack of updates, explaining that the investigation had not yet begun because the expert team was still being assembled.
“It is only fair that we wait for the experts before beginning. Once the investigation is underway, we will share developments while respecting national security considerations,” he said.
Honouring the Victims
The Minister emphasised that the eight victims — many of whom were senior public officials — stood for principles of good governance, accountability, and truth.
“It is in our national interest to honour them by ensuring that these ideals continue to guide our actions, even after their passing,” Ablakwa noted.
The military helicopter crash, which occurred in the Ashanti Region, has reignited calls for improved aviation safety and heightened scrutiny of military aircraft maintenance protocols.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
