Togo apologises for air space violation

Accra, July 6, GNA - Togo has apologised to Ghana for the unauthorised landing of one of its helicopters in the country last month, saying it has instituted measures to prevent a recurrence.

The written apology followed a verbal one made by President Gnassingbe Eyadema to Ghana's Foreign Minister, Mr Victor Gbeho, last week.

A statement issued in Accra on Tuesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, based on the incident, Mr Gbeho held talks with President Eyadema on July One.

During the talks, the Togolese leader confirmed the news report and attributed the incident to a mechanical fault on one of the helicopters and a sudden change in weather conditions in the area.

The statement said: "in keeping with the good neighbourly relations existing between Ghana and Togo, the government of Ghana has accepted the explanation of the Togo government and has, therefore, put the matter to rest".

It would be recalled that on June 29, it was reported that a Togolese helicopter landed in the Hohoe District of the Volta Region and took off immediately it sensed that its presence had created excitement among the local people.

Following the anxiety created by the incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs investigated and confirmed that a Togolese helicopter had landed in the Wli-Afegame area of the Hohoe District while a second one appeared over the area.

The statement said when a crowd began to gather, the pilot, sensing danger, took off immediately followed by the second helicopter.