The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has confirmed that a team of international aviation experts have arrived in the region to support investigations into the fatal military helicopter crash that occurred on August 6, 2025.

The crash, which happened in the Dampia Range Forest Reserve near Brofoyedru-Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofrom District, claimed the lives of the Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six other individuals.

Dr. Amoakohene disclosed that the investigators have been referred to key local stakeholders, emphasising that their input will be crucial to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

He expressed optimism that collaboration between local authorities and international experts will help identify the cause of the crash and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, the Regional Minister has thrown his support behind the Inspector-General of Police’s (IGP) decision to disband the special task force that had been enforcing environmental regulations in mining areas, particularly in the fight against illegal mining, locally known as galamsey.

According to Dr. Amoakohene, although the task force achieved some successes, its operations often excluded critical stakeholders such as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), regional ministers, and traditional leaders.

He stressed that security management should not be overly centralised, arguing that strong community relations are built on dialogue and cooperation at the local level.

With the government’s new reforms, Dr. Amoakohene said, community structures will be more deeply integrated into anti-galamsey operations, giving residents a stronger sense of ownership in the fight against illegal mining and environmental degradation.