Former Deputy Minister for Defence, Hon. Derrick Oduro, has expressed deep sorrow over a recent tragic incident involving a military aircraft. Speaking in an interview on Bryt Adekyee Mu Nsem with host Kwamina Sam Biney, Hon. Oduro described the event as shocking and heartbreaking.
According to him, the news of the plane crash, which many initially thought was false, sadly turned out to be true. He confirmed that eight people lost their lives in the crash, including five government officials. “It’s a very painful loss for the nation. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all Ghanaians and especially to the families of the victims. May the good Lord grant their souls peaceful rest,” he said.
Hon. Oduro admitted he was deeply affected by the tragedy. He reflected on his time in office, stating that if he were still serving as Deputy Minister, he would have been responsible for overseeing such official missions. “If I were still in government, this responsibility would have fallen on me, and I might have been directly involved. That makes me feel even more sorrowful,” he added.
He went on to explain the usual process followed when military aircraft are used for government assignments. He noted that when officials need to travel for government business, a formal request is made—either from the Cabinet or the Jubilee House—to the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry then writes to the Ghana Armed Forces to approve and facilitate the mission.
However, in cases of emergency, the standard procedures may be fast-tracked. He disclosed that in this particular incident, Minister of Defence Hon. Omane Boamah had reportedly been sent to cover a program in Obuasi, which may have influenced the urgency and preparation surrounding the flight. “Under such conditions, they could spend about 30 minutes repairing or preparing the aircraft if needed urgently,” he explained.
Hon. Derrick Oduro ended by reiterating the need for thorough safety checks and adherence to proper procedures when deploying military aircraft for official duties to avoid future tragedies.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Amuzu Priscilla.
