Faustilove Appiah Kannin, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Obuasi West, has shared details of her last conversation with Samuel Aboagye, one of the victims of the August 6 military helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region.
Aboagye, who was serving as Acting Deputy Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), was on board the Z-9 Air Force helicopter that went down in the Adansi Akrofuom District — a tragedy that has left the nation grief-stricken.
In a media interaction, Madam Kannin revealed that Aboagye had contacted her earlier that morning to arrange transportation for their mutual friend, former Minister Alhaji Muniru Limuna Mohammed, who also died in the crash.
“He rang me around 6:45 a.m. while I was overseeing the event, letting me know that our godfather, Alhaji Muniru, was flying into Obuasi and asked that I meet him at the airstrip. I instructed my driver to get the car ready,” she recounted.
Shortly after, Alhaji Muniru called her directly to confirm that Aboagye had reached out. She reassured him that arrangements were in place, assuming they were still in Accra.
According to the MCE, the morning then saw several changes to their landing plans, reportedly due to poor weather conditions that hampered the helicopter’s descent.
“A little after 8 a.m., Aboagye phoned once more, directing the driver to meet them at Ofori Stadium. Shortly after, he reverted to the airstrip, and by around 9 a.m., he asked that the driver go instead to the Black Park, close to the event venue,” she said.
Madam Kannin admitted she had no idea Aboagye was on board the helicopter, as their entire conversation centred on Alhaji Muniru.
“Following that final call, I attempted to contact them both, but my calls went unanswered. That was the last time I ever heard from them,” she said, visibly moved.
The crash claimed the lives of eight prominent Ghanaians: Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence; Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science and Technology; Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate; Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Manean Twum-Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Alhaji Muniru and Dr Murtala were laid to rest on Sunday, August 10, in accordance with Islamic customs. A state burial service for all victims, incorporating multiple faith traditions, is scheduled for August 15.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says investigations are ongoing, with support from international specialists, to determine the cause of the accident.
