Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General William Agyapong, has defended the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in the aftermath of public backlash over the handling of the recent helicopter crash victims.
Addressing the issue, Lt. Gen. Agyapong refuted claims that the military lacked proper body bags at the crash site. He explained that while body bags were indeed available, the extreme condition of the remains—exposed to intense heat from the crash—rendered them unsuitable for immediate use.
“It was getting late, and the place had been sealed off. We had to carry out recovery operations using the available and appropriate materials we had on the ground,” he stated.
The crash occurred in a remote, densely forested area, further complicating recovery efforts. Lt. Gen. Agyapong noted that the team faced the difficult choice of either postponing the operation until the following day or proceeding under challenging conditions.
“We knew what could happen to the bodies if left overnight. So, we made the decision to use materials at our disposal to safely transport the remains down the hill, where a medical team was waiting,” he added.
Public criticism intensified after footage circulated online showing the remains of the eight victims—including three military personnel—being transported in sacks. Many questioned the dignity and preparedness of the operation.
However, Lt. Gen. Agyapong insisted the decision was based on operational necessity and practicality, emphasizing that the situation demanded swift action under extreme conditions.
He also confirmed that the helicopter’s black box has been retrieved and will undergo analysis by experts, including the aircraft’s manufacturers, to determine the cause of the crash.
The GAF continues to face scrutiny over the tragic incident, but the CDS has maintained that all efforts made during the recovery were in line with professional standards given the circumstances.
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