Microlight Aircraft Crash Killed 2, Not Military Aircraft – Brogya Genfi
Deputy Defence Minister Clarifies Tema Microlight Crash, Confirms It Was Private Aircraft
Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Brogya Genfi, has clarified that the aircraft involved in the crash at Tema was a privately operated microlight aircraft and not linked to the Ghana Armed Forces.
Speaking in a brief message shared on his social media handle after early reports of the crash circulated, the deputy minister first expressed sympathy to the families of the victims. “I need to first express my condolences to the families of the deceased. This is an unfortunate incident and very painful,” he said.
Genfi noted that the tragedy also reminded him of the shock he experienced about seven months ago when he lost his boss, along with other government officials and military officers, in a helicopter crash. “I know how news like this can hit anyone, and we pray for the souls of all the departed,” he added.
Clarification on Ownership of the Aircraft
According to him, initial information available to authorities indicated that the aircraft involved was privately owned and had no connection to the Ghanaian military. He explained that the clarification became necessary because many Ghanaians often assume that any helicopter or small aircraft operating in the country belongs to the Ghana Air Force.
“When the reports initially started coming in, we knew it was a private aircraft and had nothing to do with the Ghana Armed Forces,” he said. Genfi added that the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) also issued a statement confirming that the aircraft was a private microlight aircraft operating within the Accra area at the time of the incident.
Investigation Expected
On investigations, the deputy minister said he had not received any official briefing yet but explained that every aviation incident automatically triggers a formal probe. He noted that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is mandated to investigate such incidents to determine their causes.
“Whenever there is an accident involving an aircraft, even if it forces a plane to abort a journey, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is mandated to investigate,” he explained. Genfi added that the bureau previously played a key role in the investigation of the helicopter crash last year, working with a committee chaired by the National Security Coordinator.
Casualties Reported
Preliminary reports indicate that two people have been confirmed dead following the crash near Tema, while investigations are expected to establish the exact cause of the accident.
