Accra, Ghana – The Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIB Ghana) has formally constituted a three-member investigation team to probe last Monday’s fatal microlight aircraft crash at Tema Community 1 that claimed the lives of both occupants.

Led by Head of Investigations Captain Paul Forjoe, the team’s mandate includes determining the actual cause of the accident involving the 3I Sky Arrows light aircraft (registration 9G-ADV), which was en route from Ho to Accra, and recommending preventive measures to avoid recurrence.

AIB Commissioner John Wumborti announced the formation of the team during a news conference in Accra on Tuesday, March 18, 2026. He confirmed that preliminary work had already begun, including scene documentation, eyewitness interviews, and securing the wreckage for detailed examination.

“The Bureau responded promptly after receiving initial reports and has since commenced preliminary investigations,” Wumborti stated per reporting by state-owned Ghanaian Times. “We have the required expertise and resources to carry out a comprehensive investigation in line with international standards.”

He appealed to the public to avoid speculation — particularly on social media — and to rely solely on official updates from the AIB.

“We appeal to the public to remain calm and avoid speculation. The Bureau will provide updates as the investigation progresses,” he added.

While no fixed timeline was given for the final report, Wumborti indicated that an interim update would be issued within one month if the full investigation is not concluded by then. He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to transparency and thoroughness.

The crash occurred around 12:21 pm at Oninku in Tema Community 1, Site 18 — within the compound of the Tema Metropolitan Day Care Centre — while pupils and teachers were in session. Emergency services, including the Police and Ghana National Fire Service, responded swiftly. Residents initially attempted to extinguish the blaze before professional responders took over.

All children and staff at the day care centre were safely evacuated with no injuries reported. The bodies of the two male victims — burnt beyond recognition — were recovered and conveyed to the mortuary for autopsy and preservation. The crash site was cordoned off to preserve evidence.

The aircraft’s ownership details have not yet been publicly confirmed. The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is cooperating fully with the AIB investigation.

Accra, Ghana – President John Dramani Mahama has categorically ruled out any government funding for Ghanaian supporter travel to the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The president is invoking the findings of the Dzamefe Commission report on the financial mismanagement and logistical failures that marred the Black Stars’ 2014 campaign in Brazil to back his decision.

Speaking at the official World Cup fundraising ceremony in Accra on Saturday, March 21, 2026, the President disclosed that transporting even a modest contingent of 200 fans would cost the state approximately $2 million — an expense he described as unjustifiable given the country’s fiscal priorities and the painful lessons from the past.

“The Dzamefe Commission report remains a definitive reason why public funds should not be used to send supporters to tournaments abroad,” Mahama stated. “We must avoid repeating the mistakes of 2014, when governance failures and financial indiscipline turned what should have been a moment of national pride into a national embarrassment.”

The Dzamefe Commission, set up after Ghana’s disappointing group-stage exit in Brazil, exposed widespread irregularities including inflated travel and accommodation costs, unauthorized allowances, and poor accountability in the management of public resources allocated to the tournament.

President Mahama said those findings continue to guide policy on the use of state money for international sporting events.

National Sports Authority Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah reinforced the position, noting that even if 10,000 Ghanaians managed to secure visas, they would still represent only a tiny fraction of the country’s football-loving population.

“We have to prepare to enjoy the World Cup at home,” he said, signaling a deliberate shift toward enhancing domestic viewing infrastructure, fan parks and broadcast access for the vast majority of supporters.

Instead of public funding, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the National Lottery Authority have launched a private-sector-led alternative: the World Cup Bonanza raffle, which will fund trips for 220 lucky winners without drawing on taxpayer money.

President Mahama also used the occasion to issue a direct advisory to supporters planning independent travel:

“Do not overstay your visas in the United States.”

He reminded Ghanaians that previous overstay violations during major tournaments contributed to Ghana being placed on a U.S. travel restriction list, requiring lengthy diplomatic negotiations to restore five-year multiple-entry non-immigrant visa access.

Ghana opens its Group L campaign against Panama in Toronto on June 17, 2026. With no state-backed supporter travel, attention now turns to private fundraising, diaspora engagement and domestic fan experience initiatives to keep the Black Stars’ global journey inclusive for ordinary Ghanaians.

Welcome to our latest roundup of major stories from Ghana, where we bring you a curated selection of five of the most important headlines from across multiple platforms.

Ibrahim Mahama Alleges Assault by Police Special Operations Team in Tamale

Businessman and brother of former President John Dramani Mahama, Ibrahim Mahama, has accused members of the Police Special Operations Team of physically assaulting him during an operation in Tamale. Mahama claims the officers used excessive force while he was at a private residence, and he has since filed a formal complaint demanding a full investigation and accountability. Police have not yet issued an official response to the allegations.
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44 Ghanaians Rescued from QNET Scheme in Nigeria
Nigerian authorities, working with Ghanaian diplomatic missions, have rescued 44 Ghanaian nationals who were allegedly lured and held under exploitative conditions as part of a QNET multi-level marketing scheme in Lagos. The victims, mostly young people promised lucrative online business opportunities, were found in overcrowded accommodation with restricted movement. They have been repatriated and are receiving support from the Ghana High Commission in Abuja.
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‘Frank and Elijah Were Bright Lights’ – Families of Aircraft Crash Victims Mourn Loss
Family members of the two young men killed in the microlight aircraft crash at Tema Community 1 have described the victims as “bright lights” whose promising futures were cut short. Frank and Elijah — sons of a prominent Ghanaian pastor — were piloting the private plane when it went down. Relatives have expressed profound grief and called for a thorough investigation to prevent future tragedies.
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Ghana Records Major TB Detection Gap as 20,000 Cases Go Untreated Yearly
Ghana continues to miss approximately 20,000 tuberculosis cases annually, according to health authorities, creating a significant detection and treatment gap that fuels ongoing transmission. The Ghana Health Service and partners highlighted under-diagnosis in rural and peri-urban areas, limited access to diagnostic tools, and stigma as key barriers. Officials are scaling up active case-finding and community screening to close the gap.
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Blanket SIM Re-registration Unnecessary – Franklin Cudjoe
IMANI Africa President Franklin Cudjoe has described plans for a nationwide blanket SIM card re-registration exercise as unnecessary and potentially disruptive. He argued that targeted verification of high-risk or suspicious lines would achieve national security objectives more efficiently without inconveniencing millions of legitimate users and risking service disruptions for vulnerable groups.
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