President Mahama Launches Fund to Support Children of Victims in Tragic Helicopter Crash

President John Mahama has announced the establishment of a special fund to support the children of the eight individuals who lost their lives in the helicopter crash on August 6.

The President made this heartfelt announcement during the funeral service of the late Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna.

The government’s decision follows the tragic accident involving a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 helicopter, which claimed the lives of all eight people on board.

President Mahama stressed the importance of shielding the victims’ families from financial hardship, particularly highlighting the case of the two-month-old infant of Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi, the military pilot.

In his speech on Tuesday, August 12, the President expressed the nation’s deep sorrow and underscored the responsibility of the government and citizens to care for the bereaved families.

“This tragedy is very painful. All those who died were in the prime of their lives, with children still in school and some even with infants as young as two months,” he said. “We must ensure that the absence of these parents does not negatively impact their innocent children.”

The President confirmed that a state funeral for all eight victims will take place on Friday, August 15, where full details of the support fund will be unveiled. The fund is designed to help with the education and welfare of the victims’ children.

“At the funeral, we will announce a program to establish a fund dedicated to supporting the education of these children,” he said. “Anyone wishing to contribute to securing their futures will have the opportunity to do so.”

Among those who died in the crash were two cabinet ministers: Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence, and Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation.

Also lost were Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator; Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); and the helicopter’s crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

The group had been traveling to Obuasi in the Ashanti Region to participate in an event focused on combating illegal mining activities known as galamsey.

The helicopter disappeared from radar, prompting a search and rescue mission that ultimately confirmed the tragic loss.