KEY POINTS
- Bright Simons questions the military’s forest rescue readiness.
- He says global rescue rules were not met.
- President Mahama orders inquiry into the helicopter crash
Bright Simons, the Honorary Vice President of IMANI Africa, is expressing serious concerns about the ability of the Ghana Armed Forces to conduct rescue missions in the rugged forest areas following last week’s deadly military helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom district.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, August 12, Simons argued that Ghana must align with international protocols for search and rescue operations—and that the military’s performance after the crash fell short.
Global rules for rescue operations
Simons outlined that established global rules dictate how rescue teams should respond to emergencies, from strict timelines and clear first responders to securing crash sites and preventing unauthorized access.
He said televised footage from the scene showed several of these standards were not met.
Authorities have pointed to the dense forest terrain as a reason for delays. But Simons was unconvinced, calling the explanation inadequate given the Armed Forces’ training.
Forest rescue readiness is essential
“The terrain was difficult,” Simons acknowledged, “but soldiers are trained to handle exactly these conditions.”
Furthermore, he noted that militaries in Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin regularly conduct forest operations, often against insurgents using the landscape for cover.
He cited Nigeria’s Sambisa Forest as an example of how armed forces adapt to hostile environments. He asked, “How will you do that if you don’t train your soldiers to go into the woods and respond?”
Calls for accountability after deadly crash
Simons insisted that forest rescue readiness should be non-negotiable. “If that situation was an insurgency, we would expect a quicker response,” he said.
His comments come as President John Mahama announced a high-level Investigative Board of Inquiry to determine the cause of the crash.
In a nationwide address, Mahama promised a “full and transparent investigation” led by the Armed Forces.
