The Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council has cautioned residents of Obuasi and surrounding communities who may have taken parts of the wrecked helicopter involved in the August 6 crash, which killed eight public officials, to return the items to aid ongoing investigations or risk criminal sanctions.
The caution follows a revelation by Ashanti Regional Minister Frank Amoakohene that credible intelligence indicates some missing parts of the helicopter were taken away by residents living near the crash site.
Authorities have also received information suggesting that some personal belongings of the victims may be among the items taken from the scene after the crash.
Mr. Amoakohene urged residents to return any such items, regardless of whether they are small tools like screwdrivers, metal blades, or boards from the helicopter.
He advised the public to hand over these items to local authorities such as Assembly Members, Unit Committee Members, District Chief Executives, or any state officials assigned to investigate the crash.
To ensure compliance, the Regional Coordinating Council is offering a cash reward to anyone who returns such items before the close of day on Monday, August 11, 2025.
“After this public announcement, any individual who still has such possessions in their custody after August 11 will be deemed to be frustrating the state’s investigative process and will face the full rigours of the law,” the statement read.
The August 6 helicopter crash in the Obuasi Municipality of the Ashanti Region claimed the lives of five senior government officials and three officers of the Ghana Armed Forces, leaving the nation in grief and shock over the past week.
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Story by Sika Togoh|univers.ug.edu.gh
