President John Dramani Mahama on Friday,August 15,announced the creation of a Children’s Support Fund to provide long-term financial assistance to the children of eight individuals who perished in a military helicopter crash earlier this month.

The fund, seeded with an initial GHC500,000 (approximately $83,000) contribution from Stanbic Bank, aims to underwrite the education, healthcare, and general welfare of the victims' children, covering costs from primary school through university or technical training.

President Mahama, speaking at a state funeral held in Accra for six of the deceased, described the August 6 crash as a “national tragedy that has cast its shadow over the heart of Ghana.”

“This fund will ensure that the children of those we lost do not suffer further injustice in the aftermath of their families’ sacrifice,” Mr. Mahama said. “We are committed to sustaining it with transparency, accountability, and broad public support.”

The initiative will also provide for medical insurance, specialized care where needed, housing, clothing, and other essential living expenses. The government will make its own immediate contribution to the fund and publish a full operational framework within 30 days, the president said. A mechanism for public and international contributions is expected to be included.

The victims of the crash included senior government and military officials. Two — Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed — were buried on August 10. The remaining six, including Defense Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, were interred on Friday following the ceremony.

Stanbic Bank’s early involvement and financial backing drew praise from Mr. Mahama, who called on other institutions and citizens to join in supporting the fund.

The cause of the crash, which occurred during official travel, is under investigation.