The Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Kofi Okyere Baafi, says the Minority in Parliament will support President John Dramani Mahama’s proposal to procure new aircraft for the Ghana Armed Forces following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed eight lives.
Speaking in an interview on Sunday, August 10, Mr. Okyere Baafi endorsed the President’s call for a transparent investigation into the incident, stressing that answers must be provided to the nation.
He also argued that the current fleet of military aircraft is outdated and poses a risk to national security.
“These helicopters and aircraft we have are not suitable,” he said. “We have to support the government to acquire new aircraft as a matter of urgency.”
The MP expressed deep concern over the politicisation of national issues and called on Ghanaians to rise above partisanship, especially in moments of national tragedy.
He urged the public to treat the incident not just as a moment of mourning but as a wake-up call for national unity.
“Politics has created a lot of mess in the country, and this is the time for us to rise above it. We must place the future of Ghana above politics. This tragedy should unite us, not divide us,” he said.
Mr. Okyere Baafi’s remarks come at a time of national mourning, following the August 6 helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region.
The Ghana Armed Forces Z-9 helicopter, which was carrying eight people with three crew members and five passengers went off radar shortly after departing Accra at 09:12 GMT en route to Obuasi for an anti-illegal mining event.
All eight on board were later confirmed dead.
The tragedy has reignited public debate over the condition of Ghana’s military assets and the need for urgent upgrades to ensure the safety of personnel, especially during critical operations.
In honour of the victims, the government declared three days of national mourning starting Thursday, August 7.
This included a flower-laying ceremony and an evening of reflection and memorial service held on Saturday, August 9.
As the nation grapples with the loss, voices like Mr. Okyere Baafi’s are calling for real change both in equipping the military and in uniting the country behind a shared national interest.
