President John Mahama has announced the establishment of a dedicated support fund for the children of the eight individuals who tragically lost their lives in the August 6 helicopter crash.
The President made the heartfelt declaration during the funeral rites of the late Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, one of the victims of the Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 crash.
The government’s decision comes in response to the profound loss caused by the accident, which claimed the lives of all eight passengers on board. President Mahama emphasized the importance of safeguarding the welfare of the victims’ children, highlighting cases such as the two-month-old baby of Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, the pilot.
“This tragedy is difficult to bear,” the President said during his address on Tuesday, August 12. “These individuals were in the prime of their lives, with young families, school-going children, and infants. It is now our duty to take on the responsibilities they’ve left behind and ensure their children are not left to suffer.”
He announced that a state funeral will be held on Friday, August 15, where the full details of the fund will be made public. The initiative will provide long-term assistance, especially for the education and welfare of the children left behind.
“At the funeral, we will unveil a programme that includes the creation of a fund to support their children’s education,” President Mahama said. “Those who wish to contribute to their future will be given the opportunity to do so.”
The crash claimed several high-profile lives, including:
- Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence
- Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
- Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
- Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate
- Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC
- Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala
- Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu
- Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah
The group was en route to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region for an anti-galamsey (illegal mining) engagement when their aircraft went off radar. A search-and-rescue operation later confirmed the fatal crash.
