A helicopter carrying President John Dramani Mahama and his wife Lordina Mahama was forced to make an emergency landing in Kumasi due to heavy storm Friday.

A statement issued by the Ghana Armed forces states the helicopter was transporting the couple to Kumasi from Sunyani.

It goes on to say while approaching Kumasi a sudden storm with high winds closed in and as a precaution the crew landed safely on an open field in line with security measures.  

The first couple was evacuated by officers of the central command and has since been flown back to Accra, according to a statement from the Ghana Armed Forces.

The statement issued by the PR Directorate of the Ghana Armed Forces read;

A Ghana Airforce MH-17 helicopter made a precautionary landing at Apatrampa, a suburb of Kumasi on Friday.

The helicopter was carrying the President, John Dramani Mahama, and First Lady Lordina Mahama from Sunyani to Kumasi where they had attended a funeral service for the deceased mother of the Chairman of the Council of State.

While approaching Kumasi, a sudden storm with high winds closed in. As a precaution and in line with safety procedures, the helicopter crew landed safely on an open field.

The first couple were evacuated by officers of the Central Command to the Residency in Kumasi.

They have since been flown back to Accra.