The military helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight persons, including two government officials: Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, is a reminder of a near-fatal disaster that occurred 10 years ago under President John Dramani Mahama's first tenure.

The incident occurred on Friday, July 10, 2015, when the first couple survived an emergency helicopter landing in Kumasi.

The first family was travelling from Sunyani to the Kumasi Airport, where the presidential jet was waiting to whisk them to Accra.

The helicopter made an emergency landing about 100 metres away from the Apatrapa Government Hospital in Kumasi.

Confirming the incident, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) said the emergency landing was precautionary due to bad weather.

The aircraft touched down just 100 metres from the Apatrapa Government Hospital during a heavy downpour, drawing dozens of residents to the scene.

According to reports, the helicopter hovered low over the community before landing safely in an open field.

Armed security officers swiftly cordoned off the area and moved the First Couple into a waiting vehicle.

The Ghana Armed Forces later confirmed the emergency landing, stating that the pilot had made the decision due to stormy weather along their route.

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“Nothing happened to the helicopter and there was no injury,” Lt Col Aggrey Quarshie, then GAF spokesperson, told the media.

Many residents of the area defied heavy rains to try and catch a glimpse of the aircraft.

President Mahama and the First Lady were driven by road to Kumasi and later flown to Accra on the presidential jet.

JKB/AE

Watch the emotional moment Omane Boamah's mother was escorted from her residence to Accra: