Accra, Aug. 7, GNA
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) is grieving the loss of three Air Force officers who died alongside five government officials in the August 6 military helicopter crash at Adansi Sikaman in the Ashanti Region.
The Harbin Z-9EH helicopter was en route to Obuasi for an official assignment when it went down in the Dampia Range Forest Reserve, killing all eight on board.
Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala (GH/4281)
Born on November 2, 1989, in Siniesi, Upper East Region, Squadron Leader Anala was the son of the late Paul Oscar Anala and Madam Lucy Apung Anala.
He attended St. James Seminary Secondary School in Sunyani before earning a degree in Computer Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Enlisting into the Ghana Military Academy on June 20, 2013, he was commissioned into the Aircrew Branch on October 17, 2013.
Anala served as a pilot with the No. 8 Helicopter Wing. He was married with one child.
Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu (GH/5426)
Born on January 17, 1995, in Kwahu Adumoah, Eastern Region, Flying Officer Ampadu was the son of Mr. Emmanuel Macdouglas Ampadu and Madam Patience Ampadu.
He attended Aburi Presbyterian Secondary School and later pursued a degree in Geography at KNUST.
He joined the Ghana Military Academy on December 16, 2020, and was commissioned into the Aircrew Branch on November 4, 2021.
Ampadu served as a co-pilot with the No. 8 Helicopter Wing. He was married.
Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah (202154)
Born on July 5, 1988, in Labadi, Accra, Sergeant Mensah was the son of the late Mensah Ashiaquaye and the late Victoria Morkeh.
He attended EMIT Electronic Institute in Accra before joining the Air Force Recruit Training School on July 22, 2011.
Graduating into the Engineering Branch on January 22, 2012, he served as a technician with the No. 8 Helicopter Wing. He had recently married.
A Loss Felt Across the Force
The GAF has described the deaths as a devastating blow to the service, noting that the institution remains in deep shock.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, with aviation safety experts and independent assessors assisting in the review.
