Security analyst Colonel Festus Aboagye (Rtd.) has urged the public to refrain from drawing premature conclusions about the August 6 military helicopter crash, stressing that only evidence—not speculation—can establish the true cause of the tragedy.
Colonel Aboagye explained that while sabotage could not be entirely ruled out, there is currently no indication of foul play.
“There is no devil that suddenly brought the aircraft down. Sabotage is possible, but it must be proven. Fortunately, this isn’t like past incidents where the first assumption would be that the aircraft was deliberately brought down,” he stated on TV3’s KeyPoints program on Saturday, August 16.
He further clarified that once an aircraft is airborne, the pilot remains in full command, with directives coming only from air traffic control or designated Air Force bases in Accra and Kumasi.
“Once the pilot is in charge, only air traffic control and Air Force bases at Accra or Kumasi can issue directions. No minister, no passenger, nobody else can change his decision on where to land. That is standard practice. Decisions are taken based on professional judgment, not external pressure,” Colonel Aboagye emphasized.
With speculation swirling in the wake of the fatal incident, the retired Colonel underscored the need for patience and reliance on verifiable information.
“Conspiracy theories may abound, but evidence will guide the outcome,” he concluded.
The crash, which occurred at Adansi Afuokrom in the Ashanti Region, claimed the lives of eight military personnel and has since sparked nationwide grief. Investigations by the Ghana Armed Forces and other relevant authorities are ongoing.
