US forensic experts join probe into fatal Z9 helicopter crash - Ablakwa

The Government of Ghana has officially invited American forensic experts to assist in investigating the August 6, 2025, military helicopter crash that claimed eight lives, including two cabinet ministers.

Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed the move on Thursday, August 14, explaining that the decision forms part of efforts to uncover the exact cause of the tragedy. He said the United States’ advanced forensic and aviation expertise would be invaluable in examining critical evidence, including the flight recorder of the Z-9 helicopter involved in the crash.

“The government is committed to ensuring a thorough, independent, and transparent investigation,” Mr Ablakwa stated. “We believe that partnering with US specialists will help us determine what actually happened and prevent similar tragedies in the future.”

The August 6 crash, which occurred during a mission in the Ashanti Region, shocked the nation, cutting short the lives of senior officials including Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. Six others — among them senior military officers and party officials — also perished.

The wreckage of the helicopter has been secured as part of the investigation, with forensic teams from Ghana’s security agencies already conducting preliminary examinations. The arrival of the US experts is expected to bolster these efforts, particularly in retrieving and analysing data from the damaged flight recorder, which could hold crucial clues about the aircraft’s final moments.

The government has assured the public that the findings of the investigation will be made available once the probe is complete.