Police Choppers Now ‘Flying Coffins’ … COP Bright Oduro (Rtd) Calls For Probe Into Acquisitions

Independent inquisition carried out by The Chronicle suggests that police personnel are reluctant to fly three H125 helicopters, which were acquired in 2023 due to concerns over their age.The helicopters, each with a maximum capacity of four (4) persons, made their first public appearance on March 6, 2023 during that year’s Independence Day Anniversary celebration in Ho.

Our checks revealed that the Choppers were supplied by South African firm, PARAMOUNT, and were over fifty (50) years at the time of purchase.They were procured for millions of dollars few months to that year’s independence anniversary.

Some of the Service Personnel who spoke to The Chronicle on condition of anonymity wondered whether the decision to purchase was for the ‘anniversary fanfare’, to depict that fighting crime in Ghana had assumed high-tech or the true operational needs of the police service.

These questions, according to the Interviewees, were based on the fact that apart from being overaged, the Choppers could carry only four passengers.

The Chronicle has been reliably informed that after being flown to Ho for the Independence Day celebration, the Choppers have remained in the Hangar at the National Police Training School, Tesano, Accra.

A deep-throat source within the police service confided in this reporter that the officers want the H125 helicopters to be swapped for larger helicopters, such as the MI 17, which can carry up to eighteen (18) persons and used mainly by Special Forces.

Beyond the safety concerns, the personnel are also questioning the maintenance cost of these Choppers.

Officers argue that given the limited capacity of the H125, the funds could have been better used to procure more armoured vehicles and motorbikes to strengthen the ground operations.

A former Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Commissioner of Police (COP), Mr Bright Oduro, when contacted by The Chronicle for comment on the story, regarding the acquisition of the Choppers, did not hesitate to call for an independent probe into their purchase.

According to him, the said probe would unearth the purpose and relevance for the acquisition of helicopters with limited capacities for the police.

Even if it becomes necessary for such acquisition, they must be deployed to only high risk zones for tactical operations, but the capacities of these craft do not warrant it, he said.

 

 

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