August 6 helicopter crash: ‘I’ve not been able to sit at a dining table since my son’s death’ — Flt. Lt. Ampadu’s father
Reverend MacDouglass Emmanuel Ampadu, father of the late Flight Lieutenant Manaen Twum Ampadu, has opened up about the profound pain his family has endured a year after the death of his son.
Flt. Lt. Ampadu was the co-pilot of the Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter that crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom area of the Ashanti Region on August 6, 2025, killing all eight people on board.
The aircraft had taken off from Accra for Obuasi, where the delegation was expected to attend the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), an initiative linked to efforts to address illegal mining.
The helicopter subsequently lost contact with air traffic control before it crashed.
The other victims were then Defence Minister Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, NDC Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, former Obuasi East parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Speaking at a memorial service held in his son’s honour at the Gospel Baptist Church at Tema Community 21 Annex on Sunday, August 9, Rev. Ampadu said the loss had left an emptiness that has been difficult for the family to overcome.
He said the death of a child was particularly painful for parents because, unlike an employee, spouse or friend, a child could never be replaced.
“When an employee passes on, the employer can recruit another skilled labourer to replace him. When a spouse loses a partner, another companion may be found. When a friend moves on, a new one can always be made. But when a child passes ahead of the parents, how can they ever be replaced? Such is our case,” he said.
Rev. Ampadu said the pain had been so profound that he had struggled to return to a normal family routine, particularly when faced with the empty seat his son once occupied at the dining table.
“I have not been able to sit at a dining table again because I have always looked at that empty seat,” he said.
Despite the pain, Rev. Ampadu said his faith and the support of the church had provided strength and comfort to the family throughout the past year.
He also reflected on his son’s lifelong dream of becoming a pilot, saying Manaen had shown an early interest in geography and had taken swimming lessons because he believed the skill was necessary for a pilot.
According to him, his son pursued the dream with determination and eventually served the country as a military pilot.
He said although Manaen’s life was cut short, his character, courage, service and dedication would remain part of the family’s cherished memories.
The memorial service was followed by a reception where family members, friends and colleagues gathered to pay tribute, dine and wine in memory of the late military officer.