The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has responded to public criticisms over claims that he was recording videos and taking pictures during the search operation following the tragic helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.
The crash claimed the lives of eight people, including two government ministers, other officials, and members of the Ghana Air Force crew.
In the aftermath, several videos and photographs circulated online showing Dr Amoakohene with a stick while moving through the bushes.
Some critics alleged that instead of actively participating in the search, he was creating content for TikTok.
But speaking with Deloris Frimpong Manso (Delay), in a video released on Saturday, January 17, 2026, Dr Amoakohene set the records straight.
According to him, “The only thing I carried with me into the bush was my stick. I wasn’t holding a phone, and I won’t fault anyone because they were not on the field. We went with other media houses, and they came with their cameras. Those who were criticising me have been corrected and educated because if you decide to blame me or accuse me of doing something I didn’t do, then that can be hatred.”
He explained that the incident occurred while an official event was underway, which had already attracted media coverage.
“We were having an event when the unfortunate incident happened and we had the media there covering it. So, when the incident happened, majority of them left the event with the search team and left for the bush where the crash had happened.
"... We even had to block them from covering some parts because they were too inhumane. All that happened, some are motivational, lesson points and areas to cause you to reflect,” he added.
Dr Amoakohene further clarified that none of the viral images originated from him.
“I never took videos or pictures; I was actually sitting with my stick when someone took the picture. My personal pictures always come out with my ministry’s logo on it but the issue is that we had an event and the media in attendance had better cameras so those arguing that how can such a quality picture be taken in the bush should know that those shots didn’t come from me. They came from the media houses,” the minister insisted.
He described the accusations as unfair and misleading, insisting that his focus during the tragedy was on supporting the search effort, not creating content.
Watch the video below, from the 35th minute
VKB/AE
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