Government Launches Children’s Support Fund for Helicopter Crash Victims

President John Dramani Mahama has announced the creation of a dedicated support fund for the children of the eight victims who died in Wednesday’s military helicopter crash, with Stanbic Bank providing an initial contribution of GH¢500,000.

The President made the announcement during Friday’s state funeral in Accra on Friday, revealing that the Children’s Support Fund for the Children of the Victims of the 6th August Helicopter Crash will provide education, healthcare, and welfare support for the bereaved families.

The fund will cover education from primary school through to tertiary or technical training, healthcare including medical insurance and specialized care where required, and welfare support covering clothing, shelter, and essential living expenses.

President Mahama said the fund reflects Ghana’s culture of collective responsibility, particularly in caring for children. 

He referenced the late Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah’s charitable work, including paying for surgery for a disabled nine-year-old boy named Seto and writing a poem to comfort the child before his operation.

“Government will make an immediate seed contribution to this fund and will operationalize and publish a detailed framework for the Children’s Support Fund within the next 30 days,” he disclosed

He added that the President’s office will ensure long-term sustainability with annual public reporting on how the fund has been used, providing transparency and accountability to contributors and the general public.

President Manama said the fund will create channels for contributions from citizens, corporate organizations, professional associations, and international partners. 

This approach, according to him, allows the entire nation to participate in supporting the children left behind by the tragedy.

The helicopter crash victims included Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and three military personnel. They died when their helicopter crashed in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region while traveling to an event in Obuasi.

President Mahama emphasized that the fund represents the nation’s commitment to ensure the victims’ children will not be alone, drawing from Dr. Omane Boamah’s poem to Setor which read: “You’re not alone. You’ve got me. Friends who care. Family and love. Always there to share.”

The Children’s Support Fund forms part of government’s broader response to honor the victims’ service and secure the futures of those they left behind, ensuring the children will not become collateral damage from the tragedy that claimed their parents’ lives.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD