Professor Kwasi Adjekum, an aviation accident investigator, has emphasised the importance of advanced flight technologies following a report that highlights significant safety deficiencies in the Harbin Z-9EH helicopter that crashed on August 6, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals, including senior government officials.
In an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV’s program, The Point of View, on Wednesday, November 12, Professor Adjekum stressed that real-time aircraft data, weather updates, and Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) systems are vital for flight tracking, especially given the limitations of ground-based radar.
“These technologies are beneficial when installed on an aircraft, as they provide real-time data and weather updates, along with automatic dependent surveillance that displays position, altitude, and speed for flight tracking,” Adjekum explained. “This information is crucial for both the aircraft and the operational control command at the Air Force headquarters, helping us to monitor our aircraft’s location since radar capabilities are limited to ground-based systems.”
His comments came after the release of a report by the committee investigating the August 6 helicopter crash. Captain (Rtd) Paul Forjoe, a member of the committee, revealed that the aircraft lacked essential safety systems, including the Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS/EGPWS), advanced terrain mapping navigation, and automatic flight control systems.
The committee, chaired by Acting Minister for Defence Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, submitted its final report to President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, November 10, during a National Security Council meeting at Jubilee House. The investigation aimed to determine the cause of the crash and propose measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ghana Air Force-operated helicopter, tail number GHF 631, departed Accra at approximately 9:12 a.m. en route to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region for an anti-illegal mining operation before losing radar contact and crashing in the Adansi Akrofuom District.
All eight individuals on board lost their lives, including Minister for Defence Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed Limuna, NDC Vice-Chair Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
The investigation, led by National Security Coordinator Abdul-Osman Razak in collaboration with the Ghana Air Force, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, and international aviation experts, is expected to guide the implementation of enhanced safety protocols and equipment upgrades across Ghana’s military aviation fleet.
