Children of helicopter crash victims receive GH¢1m trust funds, GH¢3m health cover
The children of the eight state officials who lost their lives in the August 6 helicopter crash have received government support packages intended to safeguard their welfare and future.
The assistance, presented on Thursday, July 30, includes a legacy box containing a personal letter signed by President John Dramani Mahama, a Children’s Fund investment certificate, and a commemorative medallion honouring their late parents and guardians.
The government also announced a GH¢3 million health insurance package covering 27 beneficiaries and disclosed that 13 Stanbic Bank trust accounts had been opened for the children, each funded with GH¢1 million.
The initiative forms part of the government’s response to the August 4 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight people, including two cabinet ministers and other senior government officials.
The victims were travelling from Accra to the Ashanti Region on official duty when the Ghana Air Force helicopter crashed in the Adansi area of the Ashanti Region.
Those who died included 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 members of the flight crew.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, President Mahama said the support package was not meant to compensate for the families’ loss but to demonstrate the government’s commitment to the children left behind.
He noted that while no amount of money could replace their loved ones, the intervention was designed to provide lasting support, particularly in the areas of healthcare and education.
“Every affected family has been enrolled on the premier plan of Nationwide Medical Insurance, the company’s highest level of healthcare coverage,” the President said.
He explained that the insurance package provides up to GH¢3 million in annual healthcare coverage for each family and grants access to 942 accredited healthcare providers nationwide through personalised identification cards.
In addition, six fixed deposit accounts have been created for the five adult children of Dr Samuel Sarpong and the eldest daughter of Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, with GH¢1 million deposited into each account.
The investments will remain locked in for three months to allow them to grow while giving beneficiaries time to plan how best to utilise the funds.
President Mahama also announced the establishment of the Children’s Support Fund, describing education as the most important investment that could be made in the future of the affected children.
He assured the bereaved families that the government would continue to support them as they rebuild their lives following the tragic incident.
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