Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene has announced that the Black box of Z9 helicopter which crashed on Wednesday has been found.
The Black box is a bright orange, crash-resistant device that records flight data and cockpit audio.
Officially known as Flight Data Recorders (FDRs) and Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVRs), they are crucial for accident investigations, helping investigators reconstruct events leading up to a plane or helicopter crash.
The black box was found at the scene of the tragic crash at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region.
The Minister disclosed this in a Facebook post on Thursday, August 7 where he also announced that the Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Council has visited the families of two victims in the crash; the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Samuel Sarpong and National Vice Chairman of the ruling NDC and former Obuasi East Parliamentary candidate, Mr. Samuel Aboagye.
Dr. Amoakohene said a book of condolence has been opened in honour of the two officials.
Meanwhile, samples of remains of the eight victims who died in the military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 06, 2025 have been flown to South Africa for DNA analysis to help identify each of the bodies for befitting burial.
A government delegation joined the samples which was flown out on Thursday, August 7, 2025 for the DNA test.
Before the bodies were transported, a prayer was held with some Ministers, IGP, CID boss and the delegation before the jet took off.
The Head of forensic analysis at the Criminal Investigations Department led the delegation to South Africa for the forensic analysis.
Interior Minister, Muntaka Mubarak addressing the media said “We want to thank the families sincerely for all the cooperation they have shown. It’s beyond burying and trying to establish what happened so that we prevent it in the future.”
He pledged that government would work around the clock to speed up investigations into the incident.
Explaining why the DNA analysis could not be carried out in the country in an interview with TV3 shortly after the jet took off, Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh noted: “Well, even if anything at all is done in the country, sometimes it may require further confirmation outside the country and so that is exactly what we are doing. Well, it is our prayers that it is done as soon as possible.”
Government has also announced a three-day national mourning of the victims with a wreath-laying having taken place already at the Ceremonial Gardens at the Presidency on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
A vigil is expected to be held in honour of the victims with an event culminating the mourning activities on Saturday, August 9, 2025.
