President John Dramani Mahama on Friday called on Ghanaians to extend love and support to the children of the eight victims of the August 6 helicopter crash. He appealed for both financial and emotional assistance to ensure the children’s well-being and future security.
This appeal followed the government’s announcement of the establishment of the Children’s Support Fund during the State Funeral held at the Black Star Square in Accra to honor the departed. The Fund is designed to cover educational expenses from primary to tertiary or technical levels, healthcare including medical insurance and specialized treatment as well as welfare needs such as clothing, shelter, and basic living costs.
President Mahama emphasized that the children should not be left as “collateral damage” of the tragedy, but rather, their lives should be safeguarded through a renewed culture of collective responsibility. He highlighted Ghana’s long-standing tradition of communal living, where families and communities support not only their own but also children of relatives, workers, and even strangers in times of need.
Drawing from personal experience, the President recalled how he once supported a nine-year-old physically disabled boy, covering the cost of surgery and offering words of encouragement through a poem before the operation. He urged Ghanaians to demonstrate similar acts of kindness toward the children of the fallen heroes.
“Let us leave here today with the assurance that the children of our eight comrades will not walk alone,” he said. “They have us, and we will be there to share in their journey and their future.”
President Mahama also expressed gratitude to all who stood with the nation and the bereaved families during the mourning period, including members of the diplomatic community. He noted that this solidarity reflects the strength of both national and international unity.
Acknowledging the profound grief caused by the tragic loss, the President stated that no investigation or technical explanation could fully heal the pain in the hearts of the bereaved. However, he expressed hope that Ghana would emerge from the tragedy with renewed determination to build a peaceful and prosperous future.
“I pray that this funeral will bring closure to a grieving nation and usher in a new dawn of healing for our land,” he added.
The crash, which occurred at Sikaman in the Adansi Akrofuom District as the officials traveled to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP), claimed the lives of eight distinguished individuals:
• Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence
• Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology
• Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator
• Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman, NDC
• Samuel Aboagye, Former Parliamentary Candidate
• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Ghana Armed Forces
• Flying Officer Twum Ampadu, Ghana Armed Forces
• Sergeant Ernest Addo, Flight Engineer, Ghana Armed Forces
All eight were accorded a State Funeral and laid to rest at the Military Cemetery, Tse-Addo, in the La Dade-Kotopon Municipality of Accra.
Source: GNA
