Female Pilot Saves Mahama And Wife, Lordina From Near Helicopter Crash As President Hails Her

A female pilot was hailed by President John Mahama after bringing down safely a Ghana Airforce MH-17 helicopter which made a precautionary landing at Apatrampa, a suburb of Kumasi on Friday.

The helicopter was carrying the President, John Dramani Mahama, and First Lady Lordina Mahama from Sunyani to Kumasi where they had attended a funeral service for the deceased mother of the Chairman of the Council of State.

Due to the bad weather, it forced the helicopter in which the first couple was travelling to make a “precautionary” landing.

President Mahama in a tweet congratulated her, the Ghana Armed Forces and said "I feel great pride for our armed forces. Great intuition shown by our heli pilots. I feel so proud. And at the controls was a woman."

A statement issued by the Ghana Armed forces states the helicopter was transporting the couple to Kumasi from Sunyani.

It said while approaching Kumasi, a sudden storm with high winds closed in and as a precaution, the crew landed safely on an open field in line with security measures. The first couple was evacuated by officers of the central command and has since been flown back to Accra, according to a statement from the Ghana Armed Forces.

I feel great pride for our armed forces. Great intuition shown by our heli pilots. I feel so proud. And at the controls was a woman.

— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) July 11, 2015