GAF Presents Ranks and Insignia to Families of Helicopter Crash Victims

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Lieutenant General (Lt. Gen.) William Agyapong has presented ranks and insignia to the bereaved families of personnel of the Z-9 helicopter crash.

The ceremony, held on Tuesday in Accra, honoured the fallen heroes by officially conferring on them the posthumous ranks awarded by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), John Dramani Mahama.

The pilot, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, was posthumously promoted to Wing Commander. The co-pilot, Flying Officer Manin (Manaen) Twum-Ampadu, was elevated to Flight Lieutenant, while the crewman, Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, was promoted posthumously to Flight Sergeant.

Lt. Gen. Agyapong expressed condolences to the grieving families and assured them of the government’s full support.

He noted that the tragedy should serve as a wake-up call to all uniformed personnel and proposed the establishment of a childcare fund to cater for dependents, especially children, in the event of death in the line of duty.

He further assured the families that all entitlements tied to the new ranks would be made available to them.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Eric Agyen-Frimpong, observed that military promotions are usually celebrated within the mess, but under the circumstances, it was fitting to honour the families directly.

In addition, the families were presented with GH¢315,000, an amount raised through donations from supporting organisations, institutions, and individuals. He indicated that all other entitlements would be made available at a later date.

Speaking on behalf of all three families, Reverend MacDouglas Ampadu expressed profound gratitude to the CDS and the Ghana Armed Forces for their unwavering support and presence during this period of deep loss.

Judith Twumwaa, ISD