As the nation grapples with the devastating loss of eight lives in a recent helicopter crash, former President John Agyekum Kufuor has offered a deeply personal reflection — recounting a chilling near-miss during his presidency that nearly ended in tragedy over the vast Sahara Desert in 2007.

Reflecting on the incident, which occurred during an official trip to Libya, Mr Kufuor recounted the distressing moments aboard a flight transporting him and a delegation of approximately 12 to 16 individuals from Tripoli to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan.

“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 shared in an interview on Angel TV.

He recalled that shortly after taking off from a meeting with the late Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, the aircraft began to experience technical difficulties.

“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, painting a vivid picture of the looming danger.

The situation onboard grew even more alarming due to the silence from the cockpit.

“The pilot remained silent, not communicating anything to us,” Kufuor said, recalling the unsettling quiet that added to passengers’ growing fears.

He further described the tension among those on board as cabin crew began rearranging luggage, adding to the sense of uncertainty.

In a bid to avert catastrophe, the pilot opted to divert the flight path.

“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,” he explained.

The seriousness of the situation became undeniable upon landing.

“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 recounted.

President Kufuor acknowledged the perils tied to high-level travel, particularly within the context of international diplomacy.

“I have witnessed something like this before,” he stated, reflecting on the inherent risks.

The delegation were compelled to spend the night in Tripoli while arrangements were made for an alternative aircraft to continue their mission.

Amid national mourning following the recent helicopter tragedy, the former president’s personal account serves as a sobering reminder of the ever-present dangers that come with official duties. His experience underscores the need for stringent aviation safety measures and clear communication during emergencies.

Kufuor’s story resonates with many Ghanaians at this difficult time — a poignant illustration of how unpredictable the skies can be and how each journey carries with it a measure of uncertainty.