A lawyer and member of the NDC’s communication team, Theophilus K. Dzimega, has urged Ghanaians to hold back criticism of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) over last week’s fatal helicopter crash.
According to Mr. Dzimega, it is unfair to demand more than the Ghana Armed Forces has been equipped to deliver, saying the military is working with extremely limited resources.
Speaking on Tv3’s New Day on August 13, Theophilus Dzimah called for patience until the official crash report is released.
“To whom much is given, much is expected. What have we given them that we are expecting so much of them?” Mr. Dzimega asked, noting that the Armed Forces had only two operational helicopters.
“Let us be fair to the Armed Forces. We have not given them a lot, so if we have not given them a lot, we should not expect a lot from them”
Theophilus Dzimah also praised the Ghana Armed Forces as one of the best and respected worldwide. He acknowledged the public’s grief and anger over the August 6 crash but urged a measured response.
“It’s true there’s been an accident and we are all mourning and upset, but in the midst of that upset we should be circumspect in the way we attack the Armed Forces. At the end of the day, they are the only ones we have,” he said.
“We should not throw the baby away with the bathwater,” he added.
Mr. Dzimega however encouraged the military to improve its media engagement during the investigation, suggesting that they could have even held a press conference to address public concerns.
“Ghana Armed Forces, please be proactive. Come forward, come and talk to us. Answer a few questions. You don’t necessarily have to go through the nitty-gritties and tell us everything,” he advised.
His comments follow a wave of public criticism of the Armed Forces over issues surrounding the crash, including questions about the condition of the aircraft, issues surrounding the rescue of the deceased and the lack of detailed updates from the military.
The August 6 incident involved a Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter that went down in the Adansi Akrofuom District, killing eight people, including Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed.
Other victims were NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and Air Force crew members Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
