Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has shared a harrowing account of how he narrowly escaped death in a plane incident over the Sahara Desert in 2007, during his presidency. He recounted this experience recently, reflecting on the risks faced by public officials, especially in light of the tragic helicopter crash in Ghana that claimed the lives of eight prominent officials.
During an official trip from Libya to Sudan, President Kufuor and his entourage—comprising about 12 to 16 people—had just left a meeting with the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Shortly after takeoff from Tripoli, their aircraft began to experience severe difficulties gaining altitude.
For nearly 30 minutes, the plane could not ascend, becoming unusually heavy, while below them stretched the vast Sahara desert. The silence from the cockpit and the frantic movements of the flight attendants shifting luggage heightened the anxiety on board.
In an urgent maneuver, the pilot diverted the flight over the Mediterranean Sea but the aircraft continued to struggle for about an hour before the crew made the decision to return to Tripoli for an emergency landing. Upon arrival, fire and security vehicles were seen racing across the tarmac, reinforcing the seriousness of the situation. The pilot later confirmed that the plane could not gain altitude and a return was the only safe option.
The delegation spent the night in Tripoli while another aircraft was brought to carry them to Khartoum the following day. President Kufuor’s story stands as a somber reminder of the real dangers faced during official duties and underscores the importance of robust aviation safety measures and transparency during emergencies.
His reflections resonate at a time when the nation is mourning the loss of key officials in another tragic air incident, pointing to the vulnerability and risks inherent in service at the highest levels.
