IMANI Africa Hails Independent Probe into Helicopter Crash, Warns Against Undermining AIB
Policy think tank IMANI Africa has commended government for establishing an independent, interagency board to investigate the tragic crash of a Z-9 helicopter on August 6, 2025.
Vice President of IMANI Africa, Bright Simons, described the move as a “step in the right direction,” praising Acting Defence Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson for rejecting “self-serving advice” that would have left the military investigating itself. He also applauded the inclusion of the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB), a civilian body, as part of the inquiry.
However, Mr. Simons raised concerns about the Ministry’s press release, which suggested the AIB is under the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). “Until 2020, the AIB was indeed a unit within the GCAA, but Act 1028 made it autonomous after ICAO advised Ghana to enhance its independence,” he explained. “It would be a setback if there has been a quiet reversal of that autonomy.”
The Ministry of Defence in its release confirmed that the investigation board is chaired by the National Security Coordinator, with members from the Ghana Air Force and the AIB, supported by technical expertise from the U.S. Air Force. The board has been given 30 days to conclude its work.
Mr. Simons stressed that Ghana must remain sensitive to its obligations under the Chicago Convention, warning that weakening the AIB’s autonomy could undermine international confidence in the country’s aviation safety regime. “Aviation is a fairly rich industry in Ghana, and there are multiple ways to fund the AIB. It must remain independent,” he said.
He further highlighted gaps between Ghana’s strong aviation safety framework “on paper” and the realities exposed by recent events. “We now know there are major cracks in reality. Hopefully, the investigation will dig deep and come up with ways to bring the paper to life,” he added.
The Defence Ministry assured the public that the investigation will be thorough, drawing on findings from a preliminary team set up immediately after the crash.
