Helicopter crash: Gov’t creates Support Fund for children of victims

By Joylinda Laryea / 15 August, 2025

President John Dramani Mahama has announced the creation of a Children’s Support Fund to provide long-term educational and welfare support for the children of the eight individuals who lost their lives in the August 6 military helicopter crash.

The announcement was made during an interdenominational state funeral held on Friday at Black Star Square in Accra, where families, state officials, and citizens gathered to honour the fallen.

“The next decision that the government has taken is for the creation of a Children’s Support Fund for the children of the victims of the August 6 helicopter crash,” President Mahama declared. “We must ensure that these children are not deprived of the opportunities, care, and security their parents worked so hard to provide.”

The President also thanked Stanbic Bank, which has opened a dedicated account for the Fund with an initial contribution of GH¢500,000. Government will make a seed contribution as well, and a detailed operational framework for the Fund will be published within 30 days.

President Mahama emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency and sustainability, promising annual public reports on the Fund’s usage and the creation of donation channels for individuals, corporate bodies, professional groups, and international partners.

As part of broader honours at the funeral, President Mahama also conferred posthumous promotions on the three Ghana Armed Forces personnel who died in the crash:

• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala was promoted to Wing Commander.

• Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu was promoted to Flight Lieutenant.

• Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah was promoted to Flight Sergeant.

“Promotions in our Armed Forces are never given lightly, and posthumous promotions are the highest mark of respect for duty performed even unto death,” the President said.

The fatal crash occurred on August 6, 2025, when a Ghana Air Force Z-9 helicopter went down at Adansi Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region. The delegation was en route to Obuasi for the launch of the Responsible Community and Cooperative Mining Programme.

The eight victims were:

• Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence

• Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation

• Samuel Aboagye, former parliamentary candidate

• Dr. Samuel Sarpong, NDC Vice Chairman

• Alhaji Limuna Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator

• Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala

• Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu

• Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah

The announcement of the Fund and the state honours reflect Ghana’s broader effort to provide dignity, remembrance, and tangible support in the wake of one of the country’s most devastating military tragedies.