The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has appealed to the public, particularly media practitioners, commentators, bloggers, and content creators, to exercise restraint and accuracy in their commentary on the recent Air Force Z-9 helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, which claimed the lives of all eight personnel on board.
In a statement issued by Captain VA Arhin, Acting Director General of Public Relations, the GAF noted that it had observed a surge in speculative and unsubstantiated reports surrounding the incident.
It stressed that such conjectures not only risk misleading the public but also deepen the pain of the bereaved families.
“For the sake of the bereaved families and loved ones, the Armed Forces urge media practitioners, panelists, social commentators, bloggers, and content creators to be circumspect in their reportage as a way of according respect to the memories of the fallen heroes and to mitigate the sorrows of the bereaved families,” the statement read.
“At this point in time, any purported conclusions based on opinion, perceptions, and conjectures will be premature and misleading. The public is therefore advised to be wary of such reportage,” the statement emphasised.
The Armed Forces expressed gratitude to the government, institutions, and individuals who have shown support since the crash. It also extended condolences to the families of the service members who lost their lives, describing them as patriots whose sacrifices will be remembered.
“May the souls of our patriots continue to rest in peace,” the statement concluded.