Ghana mourns the loss of Flying Officer Manaen-Twum Ampadu, a distinguished young officer of the Ghana Air Force, who tragically perished in a military helicopter crash during a national assignment in the Adansi Akrofuom District.

Mane-Twum pursued his passion for understanding the world through the lens of geography. He graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi where he was known for his analytical mind and commitment to service.

After completing his degree, Ampadu joined the Ghana Armed Forces as a Flying Officer which placed him at the heart of national operations.

On August 6, 2025, while en route to Obuasi with a delegation of government officials, the Z-9 military helicopter carrying Ampadu and seven others crashed under tragic circumstances. The incident claimed the lives of high-profile leaders and dedicated crew members, sending shockwaves across the nation.

Twum-Ampadu’s journey from the lecture halls of KNUST to the skies of Ghana exemplifies the spirit of service and intellectual rigor. His background in geography gave him a unique perspective on environmental and spatial challenges, skills that proved invaluable in his military career.

As tributes pour in, colleagues and classmates remember him as an intelligent, principled, and deeply patriotic. His death is not just a loss to the military but to the future of Ghanaian leadership.