ELS: MBN360 NEWS
Children of the eight state officials who died in the August 6 helicopter crash have received government support packages aimed at securing their welfare and future.
The packages, presented on Thursday, July 30, include a legacy box containing a personal letter signed by President John Dramani Mahama, a Children’s Fund investment certificate, and a commemorative medallion in memory of their deceased parents and guardians.
The government also announced health insurance coverage worth GH¢3 million for 27 beneficiaries, while 13 Stanbic Bank trust accounts have been established for the children, with GH¢1 million deposited into each account.
The support forms part of the government’s response following the tragic helicopter crash on August 4, which claimed the lives of eight people, including two ministers of state and senior government officials.
The victims were travelling from Accra to the Ashanti Region for an official assignment when the Ghana Air Force helicopter they were travelling in crashed in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region.
The crash claimed the lives of Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, NDC National Vice Chairman Dr Samuel Sarpong, Former Parliamentary Candidate Samuel Aboagye, and crew members onboard.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, President John Dramani Mahama said the government’s intervention was not intended as compensation for the loss of loved ones but as a commitment to supporting the children left behind.
He said the pain of losing family members cannot be measured financially, but the packages were designed to provide long-term support, particularly in healthcare and education.
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“Every affected family has been enrolled onto the premier plan of Nationwide Medical Insurance. The company’s highest level of healthcare coverage has been awarded to these families.”
“This package provides an annual healthcare value of GH¢3 million across all dependents and grants access to 942 accredited healthcare providers throughout Ghana. Each family will receive a unique identification card today, which will provide seamless access to this healthcare support whenever it is needed,” he said.
In addition, six fixed deposit accounts have been established for the five adult children of Dr. Sarpong and the first daughter of Alhaji Muniru Limuna, with GH¢1 million deposited into each account.
A three-month holding period has been introduced to allow the investments to appreciate while providing beneficiaries adequate time to plan responsibly for the productive use of these resources.
President Mahama added that education remained a critical investment in securing the future of the children, leading to the establishment of the Children’s Support Fund.
“Recognising that education is the greatest investment we can make into the future of these children, that conviction has led to the establishment of the Children’s Support Fund,” he said.
The President assured the affected families that the government would continue to stand with them as they navigate life after the tragedy.
