in light of the recent tragic helicopter crash in Ghana that claimed the lives of eight individuals, former President John Agyekum Kufuor has shared a harrowing experience from his presidency, revealing a narrow escape from a potential plane disaster over the Sahara Desert back in 2007.
Recalling the incident during an official visit to Libya, President Kufuor described the tense moments while travelling with an entourage of 12 to 16 people from Tripoli to Khartoum, Sudan’s capital.“I remember that sometime in 2007, had it not been for God’s intervention, I would have been involved in a plane crash over the Sahara Desert,” he revealed during an interview on Angel TV.
The former president recounted how the aircraft, which had just taken off after his meeting with the late Muammar Gaddafi, suddenly struggled to gain altitude.
“All of a sudden, over the desert, the plane could not ascend. It had become heavy, and for almost 30 minutes, it refused to gain altitude. When you looked down, all you could see was the desert. Eeeii! What was about to happen to us here?” he reflected.
Adding to the anxiety was the lack of communication from the flight crew.
“The pilot remained silent, not communicating anything to us,” Kufuor remarked, highlighting the unsettling atmosphere on board.
As passengers grew increasingly uneasy, they noticed the flight attendants hastily moving luggage towards their seats, further intensifying fears.
In a desperate attempt to ensure safety, the pilot diverted the plane’s course toward the Mediterranean Sea.
“The plane managed to manoeuvre and made a turn to align over the Mediterranean Sea, although it was still struggling to fly at a higher altitude for nearly an hour before we finally landed in Tripoli,” Kufuor explained.
Upon landing, the sight of emergency fire tenders and security vehicles racing across the tarmac confirmed the gravity of the situation.
“As we were landing, we noticed fire tenders and security vehicles speeding across the airport tarmac. That was when the pilot confirmed that the plane couldn’t fly any higher, so he had to return to Tripoli,” he said, reflecting on the chaos and concern surrounding their arrival.
The former president candidly acknowledged the risks associated with diplomatic travel, stating, “I have witnessed something like this before.”
Following the incident, the delegation had to spend the night in Tripoli while arrangements were made for a new aircraft to continue their journey to Sudan.
In the wake of the recent helicopter tragedy, Kufuor’s recounting serves as a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by those in public service.
The risks associated with air travel, especially during official duties, can be daunting.
His experience underscores the importance of safety protocols and communication during flights.
As the nation mourns the loss of lives in the recent helicopter crash, Kufuor’s story resonates with many who understand that the skies can be unpredictable and every journey carries its own set of challenges.
