The Ghana Armed Forces have confirmed that a military helicopter, carrying the corpse of the late Air Marshal Michael Akuoko Otu, crashed on Friday in Adukrom, Akwapem hills of the Eastern Region. The Mi-17 helicopter, one of four newly acquired by the State, crashed around 1300 hours. Fortunately, all 13 passengers and five crew members on board escaped safely.
According to eyewitnesses, the helicopter was almost landing with the casket containing the remains of the late military officer when a cloud of rising dust from the landing site may have prompted the pilot to make a short detour. However, as the helicopter rose, its rotor hit a tree, tore off the roof of a church building, and then struck a telecommunications antennae. The helicopter went down after hitting the antennae, but the rear door fell open, allowing everyone on board to escape before it was engulfed in flames along with the coffin.
The late Air Marshal Otu's remains were scheduled for a final funeral rite at the Bethel Presbyterian Church in Adukrom. Despite the accident, the family proceeded with the funeral, and they were permitted to salvage the ashes of the late Otu for burial.
Air Marshal Michael Akuoko Otu had a distinguished career, having been recruited into the Army in 1943 and later joined the Ghana Air Force. He rose through the ranks to become the second Chief of Defence Staff, retiring in 1971 after 28 years of service. Following retirement, he managed two companies, COMPUFORMS and UNIVERSAL Tractors. He passed away on October 8, 2006, survived by five children. He was the younger brother of Military Chief of Staff, Stephen Joseph Asamoah Otu, after whom the Otu Barracks was named.