The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General William Agyapong, has explained why cocoa sacks were used to carry the remains of the eight government officials and military personnel who perished in the August 6, 2025, helicopter crash.
Speaking during a visit by executives of the Ghana Journalists Association on Wednesday, August 13, the CDS said the extreme condition of the remains made the standard body bags unusable.
“We had some body bags at the scene, but the remains were so heated that it was not conducive for the bags to be used,” he said.
The rescue team, operating in difficult terrain deep within the forest and racing against nightfall, had to improvise using what he described as “available and appropriate material” to transport the bodies from the crash site.
“It was in the thick forest, and it was getting late. We had the option of leaving the remains there until the following day, but we knew what would have happened to the bodies,” Lt. Gen. Agyapongexplained. “The team assessing the situation decided to use what they could find to begin the descent from the higher ground.”
He emphasized that while some procedures may have deviated from protocol due to the urgency of the situation, every decision was made with the dignity of the fallen in mind.
“Let me say that all these things were done hurriedly. There might have been some mistakes. Nobody expected a disaster that morning. From the crash to Accra, it’s possible some actions didn’t fully align with cultural or standard practices,” he admitted.
“But looking back, I believe the team on the ground did the best they could with the resources available.”
Once the remains were brought down from the hillside, medical personnel received them at the foot of the hill. Body bags sourced from AngloGold Ashanti were then used to place the remains respectfully, before they were transported to Kumasi, placed in coffins, and draped in national colours. The bodies were later moved to Accra for official ceremonies.
Search efforts at the crash site are ongoing, with personnel still combing the area to recover any remaining fragments of the aircraft and remains of the victims.
“The place had been sealed off—I wouldn’t use the word ‘cordoned off’ because we didn’t even know how far the wreckage had scattered,” the CDS noted. “Personnel on the ground continue to expand the search.”
Adding to the explanation, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive Richard Ofori Agyemang, who was part of the recovery team, revealed in an interview with Joy News that three body bags were burned due to the intense heat of the remains.
“We went there with body bags. Some of the bodies were picked directly from the fire. At the onset, we burnt three body bags,” he said. “So it was not sensible to continue using them, and we were not going to leave any of our compatriots behind.”
Source: Gbcghanaonline
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